Opemipo Jokotagba
Updated on: October 8, 2024 6:20 am GMT
Boeing Starliner Capsule Returns from ISS Without Crew Amid Ongoing Controversies
The Boeing Starliner spacecraft safely landed at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico on September 7, 2024, at 12:01 AM EDT after a 93-day mission that was initially intended to last just eight days. The capsule returned empty, with its two intended astronauts still aboard the International Space Station (ISS), leading to heightened scrutiny over the vehicle’s reliability and Boeing’s performance as a NASA contractor.
Details of the Departure
After undocking from the ISS at 6:04 PM EDT on September 6, the Starliner left behind astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, who were supposed to return to Earth on the capsule in June after an eight-day mission. Instead, their stay at the ISS has now been extended to over eight months. The decision to send Starliner back without its crew was made due to major concerns regarding the capsule’s thruster system, which had failed during a previous docking attempt in June.
Despite NASA’s attempts to downplay the situation, the undocking event unfolded with significant tension. Engineers had expressed uncertainties regarding the operational capabilities of the thrusters, creating a precarious situation for the capsule’s departure. As the spacecraft performed the undocking maneuver, viewers on the NASA livestream sensed the underlying drama, with many experts and enthusiasts holding their breaths.
Technical Challenges and Decision-Making
NASA and Boeing faced multiple technical challenges leading up to the Starliner’s undocking. The capsule required reprogramming of its onboard computers for the maneuver, which raised alarms among the engineering teams, as testing in a live scenario was the only option to ensure success. The spacecraft spent the first ten minutes backing away from the ISS before firing its thrusters to elevate its orbit slightly. This additional maneuver aimed to mitigate the risk of collision with the space station due to an incomplete propulsion failure.
Upon achieving a safe distance, the Starliner executed a 60-second deorbit burn at 11:17 PM EDT. However, contact was temporarily lost as the capsule entered the Earth’s atmosphere, where temperatures soared to 3,000 °F (1,600 °C). After successfully descending to subsonic speeds, parachutes deployed, and the capsule landed safely with the aid of airbags designed to cushion the impact.
Impact on NASA’s Crewed Missions
The Starliner’s unsuccessful crew return places significant strain on Boeing and raises questions about the contractor’s future in space missions. With astronauts Williams and Wilmore continuing their operations aboard the ISS and now reliant on SpaceX for their eventual return, NASA’s upcoming projects involving the Starliner are now in jeopardy. The agency is not likely to approve the capsule for missions with human passengers until it successfully completes at least one crewed flight.
Further complicating the situation is Boeing’s financial position, with its fixed-price contract nearly costing the company US$2 billion and expectations that an additional mission could escalate costs by around US$100 million. The challenges facing Boeing reflect the broader obstacles in NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, which was initiated to revitalize U.S. human spaceflight capabilities following the retirement of the space shuttle program.
Current Status of the ISS Crew
Despite the complications surrounding the Starliner, astronauts Williams and Wilmore have remained productive aboard the ISS. They have been integral in conducting various experiments and repairs, effectively adapting to the extended duration of their stay. Their planned return via SpaceX is currently scheduled for late February, which will further stretch their initial mission timeline.
While NASA’s choice to opt for SpaceX in favor of Boeing’s Starliner has alleviated immediate safety concerns, the ongoing scrutiny of the Starliner program raises questions about its reliability and readiness for crewed missions in the future. Notably, SpaceX is poised to conduct its 10th crew ferry flight for NASA later this month, showcasing the operational competitiveness of its Dragon capsule.
Looking Ahead
As Boeing prepares to scrutinize the Starliner upon its return, teams at NASA and Boeing will closely monitor the outcomes of the technical evaluations. The future of the Starliner program will depend significantly on addressing the recent challenges and ensuring safe operations for subsequent missions.
NASA has made it clear that it will keep working with two different companies to transport astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). This plan helps ensure that we can reliably send people into space, even as there are ongoing questions about the Starliner spacecraft.
