The Boeing Starliner spacecraft, which carried Indian-origin NASA astronaut Sunita Williams to the International Space Station (ISS) on June 5, was hailed as a space capsule made by astronauts for astronauts. However, Boeing is now facing the challenge of returning the Starliner to Earth without any human crew members. The spacecraft is set to return autonomously on September 6, expected to land about six hours after undocking from the ISS.
Development Delays and Mission Overview
The Starliner, which has faced multiple delays during its development, was on its first crewed test flight, carrying astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore. Initially intended to be an eight-day mission, the astronauts’ stay on the ISS has been extended since June 6 due to propulsion issues with the Starliner. On August 24, NASA announced that the two astronauts would remain on the ISS until February 2025, while the spacecraft would return to Earth without its crew.
NASA and Boeing have emphasized that the uncrewed return of the Starliner is a safety-first decision. It allows the space agency to gather further testing data while reducing risks for the astronauts. NASA officials stated that the decision to return the Starliner without crew was unanimous, while Boeing confirmed that it could manage the spacecraft’s return both with and without astronauts.
Tense Decision-Making Process
NASA confirmed that the decision to bring the Starliner back without its crew was made during a “tense” meeting between the space agency and Boeing officials. NASA chief Senator Bill Nelson, a former astronaut himself, explained that the decision reflects the agency’s commitment to safety. “Spaceflight is risky, even at its safest and most routine. A test flight, by nature, is neither safe nor routine,” Nelson said, highlighting that ensuring astronaut safety remains NASA’s top priority.
Boeing, while confident in the Starliner’s capabilities, has supported NASA’s decision. The company assured that extensive testing has demonstrated the spacecraft’s readiness for a safe return, noting that 27 of the 28 Reaction Control System (RCS) thrusters are fully operational and that other propulsion systems are stable.
NASA’s Strict Safety Requirements
NASA, still cautious following past space shuttle tragedies like the Challenger and Columbia disasters, opted not to take any risks with the Starliner’s human spaceflight mission. The agency emphasized that there were still unresolved uncertainties that did not meet its stringent safety and performance requirements.
The Starliner, which Williams piloted to the ISS, is one of the most advanced crew modules ever designed, with safety and comfort as top priorities. Sunita Williams, who was involved in the development of the spacecraft, has had a direct influence on its design. She even named the spacecraft “Calypso,” in honor of Jacques-Yves Cousteau’s ship, which had inspired her as a student.
The Starliner boasts impressive specifications: it stands 5 meters tall, has a diameter of 4.6 meters, and weighs 13,000 kilograms at launch. While designed to accommodate up to seven astronauts, NASA missions will typically carry four to five crew members. Each module is partially reusable, designed to fly up to 10 missions, though the service modules are built for single-use missions.
Challenges and Delays
Boeing’s Starliner development has been beset by delays and budget overruns. Initially awarded a $4.2 billion contract by NASA in 2014, the spacecraft didn’t make its first human spaceflight until 2024, nearly a decade later. In contrast, SpaceX, which received a similar contract for its Crew Dragon capsule, delivered its spacecraft at a lower cost of $2.6 billion and has been successfully ferrying astronauts since 2020. Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore are expected to return to Earth aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon.
NASA remains confident in the future of the Starliner program, despite the challenges. On August 24, the space agency reiterated that Boeing must continue development at its own expense under a fixed-price contract, which requires full certification for human spaceflight. Boeing will also bear the cost of any additional work needed to address the issues uncovered during the mission.
The Starliner made headlines for mysterious “strange noises” recently, which Boeing identified as feedback from a speaker. Despite the setbacks, NASA and Boeing are committed to refining the spacecraft, ensuring it meets all safety standards and fulfills its role in NASA’s human spaceflight missions.
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