NASA astronauts await rescue in space

LOS ANGELES — Two US National Aeronautics and Space Administration, or NASA, astronauts find themselves in an unexpectedly extended mission aboard the International Space Station, or ISS, as technical issues plague their return spacecraft, Boeing's Starliner.

The intended short test mission has stretched beyond 60 days, with no definite return date in sight.

During a news conference on Wednesday, Kenneth Bowersox, associate administrator for NASA's Space Operations Mission Directorate, said "we could take either path", either returning the astronauts on Starliner or seeking an alternative method using SpaceX.

On June 5, astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams were launched to the ISS as part of Starliner's first crewed test flight, and multiple technical problems have since occurred.

Issues plaguing Starliner include failures in the reaction control system, or RCS, thrusters, which are crucial for the spacecraft's maneuverability and safe return to Earth, and helium leaks in the propulsion system. These problems have raised concerns about the capsule's safety and reliability.

The space agency is seriously considering a backup plan involving a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule to bring the two back to Earth. This contingency could extend their stay in space to approximately eight months, according to Wednesday's briefing.

The Starliner issues have broader implications for NASA's commercial crew program. The agency has long emphasized the importance of having multiple providers for crew transportation to ensure redundancy and continuous access to the ISS. SpaceX has been successfully ferrying astronauts to and from the station since 2020, while Boeing has faced repeated setbacks and delays with its Starliner program.

These latest complications have resulted in additional financial strain for Boeing. The company has recently announced a $125 million write-off related to unplanned costs for the Starliner program, adding to $1.5 billion in previous write-offs.

NASA has pushed back the launch of the next SpaceX Crew Dragon mission, originally scheduled for Aug 18, to no earlier than Sept 24. This delay provides additional time for decision-making regarding Starliner and potential crew adjustments.

If implemented, the contingency plan would involve sending only two astronauts instead of the usual four on the next SpaceX Crew Dragon flight. Wilmore and Williams would join the space station crew as full-fledged members for a six-month stay and return on the Crew Dragon around February 2025.

A final decision on whether to proceed with the Starliner return or switch to the SpaceX backup plan is expected by mid-August. Until then, Wilmore and Williams will continue their extended stay aboard the ISS.

Xinhua