Starliner’s astronauts are not stranded — just doing what astronauts do
Unfortunately, the news headlines highlight that the astronauts Butch and Suni have overstayed their planned visit to the ISS, categorizing it as a black mark for NASA and Boeing —but that is not how we should see it. If we pay close attention to the information provided by NASA, we realize that the astronauts knew this could happen and prepared for this contingency.
NASA announced at the press conference that their investigation is now delaying the return flight. Although Boeing is confident in their understanding of the issue and believes the astronauts can return safely on board the Starliner, NASA wants to thoroughly comprehend the physics behind the problem and be able to replicate it before proceeding.
Steve Stich, Manager of the Commercial Crew Program at NASA, explained that the result of the flight data analysis and tests replicate the degradation of the thrusters seen in flight. NASA believes the thruster issue resulted from a teflon seal on the oxidizer line that heated and swelled, blocking the poppet and producing an unstable propellant flow into the affected thruster.
However, they need to consider two issues: the helium leak and the thruster. The helium leak stabilized, but helium pressurizes the fuel tanks for the thrusters, and if not enough left, it could lead to a misfire. NASA needs to demonstrate, with confidence, that they reproduced what happened in flight and understand the use of those systems and demands during the remainder of the flight. If NASA and Boeing teams can answer all these questions sometime next week, they might be able to return Butch and Suni in Starliner.
Image Credit -NASAAt the same time, NASA is looking at alternative options, including the safe return of the Starliner to Earth without a crew. If we think about the high cost of the spacecraft, all paid with US tax dollars, we agree that NASA and Boeing should try everything they can to save Starliner. Ken Bowersox, the Associate Administrator for the Space Operations Mission Directorate, explains that this is critical to NASA. They want to have two American vehicles that can support future space flights. NASA needs the capability to transport all astronauts from the ISS without relying on Soyuz, especially after the scare with the coolant leak of the Soyuz MS-22 spacecraft in 2023, believed to have been produced by a micrometeorite, but that could result in unsafe temperatures during re-entry to Earth.
Of course, the extended investigation delayed the launch of Crew-9 to the ISS until September 24, 2024; however, the decision helps offset another concern NASA has with Crew-9 SpaceX’s first-stage booster. On the trip from McGregor, TX to Cape Canaveral, FL, the booster LOX tank got some moisture, and SpaceX had to dry it and change some components. Although NASA likes to use new first-stage boosters for all its flights, in this case, they want SpaceX to use this booster on their next Starlink flight and shakedown any possible issues.
If NASA concludes that Suni and Butch should not return in the Starliner later this month, a series of steps are needed before Crew-9 can depart. Boeing has to change their mission data loads to an uncrewed configuration, verify them, and upload them to Starliner. The current configuration (or commands executed autonomously) is for a crewed return, while the new configuration is for a safe uncrewed-undocking and return of the Starliner back to Earth. After the Starliner departs from the ISS, the second American port will be ready to receive Crew-9.
NASA also will decide if Crew-9 will fly with four astronauts or two. If it flies with two, Butch and Suni will join that expedition, filling the spot of the other two astronauts and returning with the rest of Crew-9 on the normal crew rotation schedule in February 2025. SpaceX will have to prepare the Dragon with special seats to support the two new crew members because the Crew-9 Dragon does not have special seats configured for them. For these cases, they use a special foam that would adapt to any body shape and size. NASA also wants to consider other options, including making Dragon capable of supporting a contingency configuration with seven seats, which is the maximum capacity of the spacecraft. Dragon is already operating on a contingency configuration for five crew members; however, a seven-seat configuration still needs testing in space.
I am sure that NASA appreciates the concern of people for the well-being of Suni and Butch; however, Dana Weigel, Manager for the International Space Station Program at NASA, reminded us that both are experienced astronauts and were prepared to stay at the ISS longer than planned. Since arrival, Suni and Butch have been busy working on experiments and maintenance on board, just like the other astronauts aboard. NASA also prepared for this contingency. They sent their EVA suits and enough supplies to the ISS before the Starliner test mission. Also, recently, the ISS received the Northrop Grumman 21 Cygnus resupply spacecraft, which brought 8,200 pounds of crew supplies and critical science experiments. More will keep coming in future months.
So, whatever the decision, we can be sure that NASA has defined all the possible paths forward. After the Crew-9 launch, NASA expects to return to the regular schedule for future launches. In the meantime, we hope Starlainer returns safely to Earth so Boeing can perform fixes and conduct rigorous testing to ensure the next flight will be successful.
NASA will provide an update next week and I hope to be able to share it with you