NASA opts for SpaceX Crew Dragon to bring astronauts back to Earth
The SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, developed by Elon Musk, is set to transport two NASA astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) for 80 days. They were initially scheduled to stay for 8 days, but technical issues arose with the Boeing-Starliner spacecraft.
NASA specialists were considering whether to deem the Starliner safe enough for the return journey with the crew or to entrust this task to SpaceX's Crew Dragon. A decision was made on Saturday after formally assessing the situation.
Musk's company to transport astronauts
Boeing was not represented during Saturday's press conference. NASA indicated "just a little disagreement (between NASA and Boeing) in terms of the level of risk" compared to Boeing's assessment. This led the federal agency to consider transporting the astronauts home on the SpaceX Crew Dragon vehicle, which has completed a dozen manned space missions since 2020.
SpaceX, an American company founded by Elon Musk in 2002, handles the production of this spacecraft.
NASA: "We made mistakes"
On Saturday, NASA chief Bill Nelson explained that the agency took into account its extensive experience in space flights – both successful and unsuccessful – when making the decision.
We have had mistakes done in the past: We lost two space shuttles (...) Spaceflight is risky, even at its safest and even at its most routine. And a test flight, by nature, is neither safe, nor routine - he stressed.
CNN reports that Starliner is set to return to Earth empty. If its unmanned return flight is successful, NASA will decide whether to grant Starliner an official manned flight certification. This would allow the vehicle to make routine trips to orbit despite not completing its mission as planned.
SpaceX had a scheduled routine mission to the ISS, transporting four astronauts as part of regular crew rotations on the orbiting lab. The new Crew-9 mission will be adapted to transport two astronauts instead of four.
This will enable the return flight of the astronauts stranded on the ISS. As a result of these changes, they will become part of the official ISS expedition and remain there for an additional six months, as that is how long a routine expedition on the space station lasts.
The transportation of the astronauts will be possible no earlier than February 2025.
Astronauts stranded on the space station
In June 2024, astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) on the Boeing Starliner. They were meant to stay for 8 days.
However, technical problems arose, including a helium leak. Some engines also suddenly stopped working, preventing their planned return.
CNN recalls that on August 2, Boeing still assured that its spacecraft would very likely be able to transport the astronauts back to Earth. Meanwhile, the astronauts have been on the ISS for 80 days.
