NASA Declines SpaceX Option for Stranded ISS Astronauts Amid Starliner Complications
NASA has officially stated that there are no current plans to deploy a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft to rescue astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, who are stranded aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The situation arises due to complications with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. During a recent NASA-Boeing press briefing, NASA official Steve Stich emphasized that no discussions have taken place regarding the use of another SpaceX Dragon for this purpose.
The predicament began when issues such as helium leaks and thruster malfunctions emerged with Boeing’s Starliner, which had its first crewed mission in June. Despite the setbacks, the spacecraft remains docked at the ISS, extending the astronauts’ stay in orbit well beyond the intended duration. Although a SpaceX Dragon is currently docked at the station, the space agency prefers to stick with the original plan of using Starliner for the astronauts’ return.
Steve Stich acknowledged the possibility of considering SpaceX if conditions deteriorate, stating, “We’ve dusted off a few of those things to look at relative to Starliner, just to be prepared.” However, he reiterated that the primary plan is to bring the astronauts back aboard Starliner, pending further evaluations of the spacecraft’s thrusters before finalizing their return, potentially delaying until mid-August.
This development is a potential blow to Boeing, which has been trying to catch up with SpaceX in the commercial spaceflight sector. SpaceX successfully completed its first crewed mission to the ISS in 2020, while Boeing has faced numerous hurdles. Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, has openly criticized Boeing’s management, further intensifying the rivalry.
The ongoing issues with Starliner add to Boeing’s challenges, which include a recent guilty plea over violations related to two fatal 737 Max crashes. The situation underscores the competitive dynamics in the aerospace industry, where the success of commercial crew missions remains critical for companies like Boeing and SpaceX.