What's happened
NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams will remain aboard the International Space Station (ISS) until February 2025 after their Boeing Starliner capsule returned uncrewed due to safety concerns. The duo's extended stay follows a series of technical issues with the Starliner, which was deemed too risky for their return.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to The Guardian, astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams expressed their disappointment at not being able to return on the Starliner, stating, "That’s how it goes in this business." Meanwhile, Ars Technica noted that NASA's decision was based on safety concerns, with commercial crew program manager Steve Stich acknowledging the mixed emotions surrounding the successful landing of the Starliner without its crew. The Independent highlighted that the astronauts will now be part of the ISS crew until their return on a SpaceX flight, emphasizing the ongoing challenges Boeing faces in its partnership with NASA.
How we got here
The Boeing Starliner capsule launched on June 5, 2024, but faced multiple thruster failures and helium leaks during its mission. NASA decided it was too dangerous for Wilmore and Williams to return on the Starliner, opting instead for a SpaceX Dragon capsule to bring them home in February 2025.
Common question
-
What caused the strange noises in NASA's Boeing Starliner?
NASA's Boeing Starliner has been in the spotlight recently due to reports of strange noises during its mission. These sounds raised concerns about the spacecraft's reliability and safety. In this article, we will explore the reasons behind these noises, the implications for future missions, and what to expect as the Starliner prepares for its return to Earth.
-
What are the latest developments with Boeing's Starliner?
Boeing's Starliner capsule has faced numerous challenges, leading to its uncrewed return to Earth. As NASA astronauts remain aboard the ISS until February 2025, many are left wondering about the implications of these delays and what they mean for future missions. Here are some common questions regarding the Starliner mission and its impact on space exploration.
-
What Went Wrong with Boeing's Starliner Mission?
Boeing's Starliner mission has faced significant challenges, leading to questions about its future and how it stacks up against competitors like SpaceX. This page explores the issues that arose during the mission, the implications for Boeing's space program, and what lies ahead for the Starliner.
-
What is the significance of the first private spacewalk?
The Polaris Dawn mission, scheduled for September 12, 2024, marks a historic moment in space exploration as it attempts the first-ever private spacewalk. This groundbreaking event raises questions about the future of commercial spaceflight, the technology involved, and the implications for astronauts and space agencies alike. Below, we explore key questions surrounding this mission and its impact on the industry.
-
What Are the Safety Issues with the Boeing Starliner?
The Boeing Starliner has faced significant safety concerns that have delayed its crewed missions. As NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams remain aboard the International Space Station (ISS) until February 2025, many are left wondering about the implications of these delays and the technical problems that have arisen. Here are some common questions regarding the Starliner's safety and future missions.
-
What Are the Latest Developments in Space Exploration, Crime, and Politics?
Recent news stories have highlighted significant intersections between space exploration, crime investigations, and political events. From astronauts facing unexpected delays in their return to Earth to legal changes affecting political betting, these stories reflect broader societal concerns and trends. Here are some common questions people are asking about these current events.
More on these topics
-
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is an independent agency of the U.S. Federal Government responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and space research.
-
Space Exploration Technologies Corp., trading as SpaceX, is an American aerospace manufacturer and space transportation services company headquartered in Hawthorne, California.
-
Boeing Starliner is a class of reusable crew capsules expected to transport crew to the International Space Station and to private space stations such as the proposed Bigelow Aerospace Commercial Space Station.
-
The Boeing Company is an American multinational corporation that designs, manufactures, and sells airplanes, rotorcraft, rockets, satellites, telecommunications equipment, and missiles worldwide.
-
The International Space Station is a modular space station in low Earth orbit. It is a multinational collaborative project between five participating space agencies: NASA, Roscosmos, JAXA, ESA, and CSA.
-
Earth is the third planet from the Sun and the only astronomical object known to harbor life. According to radiometric dating estimation and other evidence, Earth formed over 4.5 billion years ago.
-
Sunita Lyn Williams is an American astronaut and United States Navy officer who formerly held the records for most spacewalks by a woman and most spacewalk time for a woman.
-
Barry Eugene "Butch" Wilmore is a NASA astronaut and United States Navy test pilot. He has had two spaceflights, the first of which was an 11-day Space Shuttle mission in November 2009, to the International Space Station.
-
New Mexico is a state in the Southwestern region of the United States of America; its capital is Santa Fe, which was founded in 1610 as capital of Nuevo México, while its largest city is Albuquerque with its accompanying metropolitan area.
-
Soyuz is a transliteration of the Cyrillic text Союз (Russian and Ukrainian, 'Union'). It can refer to any union, such as a trade union (profsoyuz) or the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (Сою́з Сове́тских Социалисти́че