NASA is considering the possibility of returning the crew of the troubled Boeing Starliner to Earth with the help of SpaceX.
It has been almost two months since the Boeing Starliner spacecraft arrived at the International Space Station (ISS), where it was supposed to stay for only a week. Despite the technical glitches that delayed the Starliner's return to Earth, NASA has consistently insisted that the craft is capable of carrying the crew back.
Meanwhile, the space agency is also looking for alternatives. As Ars Technica reports with reference to sources, NASA is considering postponing the launch of the SpaceX Crew-9 mission from August 18 to September 24 and putting two astronauts on board the Crew Dragon instead of the planned four. This will make it possible to return the Starliner crew to Earth. As of late last week, there was still no consensus on this scenario, but its probability is estimated at more than 50%. The return of an empty Starliner would be a serious blow to NASA and its commercial partner Boeing, who have repeatedly said that the ship is capable of returning the crew at any time.
Recall that the spacecraft Starliner launched on an Atlas V rocket from United Launch Alliance on June 5. NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunny Williams were on board. During the ship's approach to the ISS, five of the spacecraft's engines failed, and five helium leaks were observed on the ship itself (one of which was detected even before launch). The mission was supposed to last eight days, but the Starliner's return to Earth was delayed indefinitely due to problems with the ship. NASA had hoped to return its Starliner crew by the end of July, or at least by the launch of Crew 9.