NASA Considers Boeing vs. SpaceX for Returning Starliner Astronauts
NASA management has been deeply engaged in discussions this week regarding the best course of action for returning its astronauts from Boeing’s Starliner capsule, which has encountered issues, or opting for a SpaceX craft to bring the crew back safely.
Concerns have arisen due to unresolved problems with the Starliner capsule, which carried NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to the International Space Station in early June. Several of the spacecraft’s thrusters malfunctioned during docking, and the root cause of these failures remains unidentified, according to a source familiar with the situation reported by CNBC.
Given these uncertainties, NASA is considering the possibility of returning the Starliner capsule to Earth without astronauts on board and instead using SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft for the crew’s return. However, there is no clear consensus among the decision-makers, making the outcome of NASA’s deliberations unpredictable due to the complex factors involved.
The Starliner capsule, nicknamed “Calypso,” has been in space for 59 days and counting. The mission was intended to be a final step in proving Boeing’s spacecraft is safe for longer crewed missions to and from the ISS. Originally planned for a minimum of nine days, the mission has been extended multiple times as NASA and Boeing conduct tests on the ground and in space to diagnose the thruster issue.
While NASA and Boeing have publicly described these extensions as opportunities for data gathering, internal concerns have grown over whether Starliner is truly safe to bring the astronauts back, a point underscored by recent reports.
Ars Technica first highlighted NASA’s internal debate over Starliner’s situation. Although NASA has previously mentioned SpaceX as a backup option, they have maintained Boeing’s spacecraft as the “primary option” for returning the crew. Boeing, on the other hand, has expressed confidence in Starliner’s ability to safely return the astronauts, stating they have the “flight rationale” to proceed with the crewed return.
If NASA decides to return Starliner empty, the most likely alternative would involve using SpaceX’s Crew Dragon. This could involve modifying the upcoming Crew-9 mission by removing two astronauts, thereby freeing up seats for Wilmore and Williams.
NASA has not officially commented on the ongoing discussions but has confirmed to Ars Technica that all options are being evaluated, with no final decision yet reached.
Recent testing has shown that 27 of Starliner’s 28 thrusters appear to be functioning properly. However, the underlying issue that caused five thrusters to fail during the flight to the ISS remains unresolved, raising concerns about potential risks during the return flight.
Mark Nappi, Boeing’s vice president of the Starliner program, mentioned in a press conference that testing has led to significant findings that are likely the root cause, although the issue has not been definitively identified.
NASA now faces the challenge of deciding whether to trust that the unknown issue with Starliner’s thrusters will not resurface or lead to further complications.
The lack of consensus within NASA came to light when the Commercial Crew Program Control Board (PCB) met earlier this week to discuss Starliner’s return. The PCB, led by Commercial Crew program manager Steve Stich, has yet to decide whether to move forward with a flight readiness review, which is necessary to set a return date for Starliner. Further PCB meetings are expected, with NASA continuing to plan the return into the following week.
Should there be dissent among the PCB members on whether to proceed with a crewed Starliner return, the decision will be escalated through NASA’s chain of command. Currently, the discussions remain unpredictable as NASA personnel weigh the risks involved.
NASA often reiterates that “astronaut safety remains the top priority” in decisions related to human spaceflight, which is inherently risky.
However, the decision NASA faces extends beyond safety and carries significant implications for Boeing’s role in the Commercial Crew Program. Boeing has already incurred over $1.5 billion in losses due to repeated setbacks and delays in Starliner’s development.
If NASA chooses to proceed with the crewed Starliner return, the agency would be accepting an undefined level of risk. Any major failure during the return could force NASA to reconsider Boeing’s involvement in the program. On the other hand, if NASA opts to return Starliner empty, it could signal a lack of confidence in Boeing, potentially leading the company to withdraw from the program altogether.
Should NASA opt for the SpaceX alternative and Starliner returns safely without incident, the agency could face criticism for overreacting to a situation it had previously downplayed as not posing a significant risk.
