summary
- SpaceX could potentially bring stranded astronauts home as a backup option if issues with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft remain unresolved.
- The root cause of Starliner’s problems is said to be heat buildup causing seals to deform, threatening the safety of astronauts.
- A decision on Starliner is likely to be made soon after further testing.
SpaceX’s Crew Dragon shuttle is being considered as a backup option to bring home two astronauts stranded on the International Space Station (ISS). NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore have been on the ISS for nearly two months due to problems with their Boeing Starliner spacecraft.
SpaceX could bring stranded astronauts home
It has been 53 days since Williams and Wilmore blasted into space aboard a Boeing spacecraft. StarlinerBoth missions significantly exceeded their planned eight-day duration. Technical issues with the Starliner have yet to be resolved, and NASA SpaceX The Crew Dragon shuttle will then return the two astronauts to Earth.
“We’re excited to be working with NASA on this exciting new program,” said Steve Stich, manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, during a Thursday briefing.
“We run two different systems, and obviously we’ll have another system as a backup option.”
But while returning the two astronauts aboard Starliner remains the priority, a return aboard Crew Dragon is also becoming more likely, with a capsule already docked with the ISS and another due to launch into space next month.
Starliner experienced two separate issues during its mission to the ISS on June 5: a helium leak and the unexpected shutdown of its five reaction control thrusters. Four of the five thrusters were eventually restored, but one was deemed unusable.
Starliner decision coming soon
NASA is continuing testing at its White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico to determine the root cause of Starliner’s problems. CNN The report said the issue may be related to heat buildup inside the thruster, which could cause Teflon seals to bulge and restrict the flow of nitrogen tetroxide propellant.
“Boeing’s commercial crew program manager, Mark Nappi, said:
“The heating and natural vacuum created by the thruster firing caused the poppet seal to deform and actually bulge a little bit.”
Photo: Boeing
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The two astronauts remain aboard the International Space Station and are in no rush to return to Earth.
These seals are being monitored very closely as they may be damaged during return flight. Furthermore, manual piloting of the spacecraft during the June 5 launch “caused the spacecraft to fail.Putting extra strain on the thrustersGround testing will continue to give NASA confidence that Starliner can safely return two astronauts to Earth.
“There are no big announcements today in terms of a return date. We’re making great progress but we’re not ready yet.”
NASA and Boeing plan to test launch Starliner next week, after which a schedule for undocking the spacecraft is expected to be set. NASA has previously said it is “in no rush” to bring astronauts home. The clock is ticking, as Starliner’s battery life was initially estimated at 45 days but has since been extended to 90 days.
