American astronauts Barry ‘Butch’ Wilmore and Sunita ‘Suni’ Williams are stuck in space – for now NASA and BoeingSolving problems with the Starliner spacecraftthat brought them up to theInternational Space Station (ISS).
Starliner is a space capsule built by Boeing as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, an initiative in which private companies offer private space flight services to the ISS. Competitor SpaceX also offers such services.
Wilmore (flight commander) and Williams (pilot) piloted the Boeing-built capsule on its first manned test flight to the ISS. Despite technical problems before the flight, the capsule was able to dock with the space station on June 6.
But ongoing problems with the helium lines to the engines and the propulsion system in general have kept the Starliner tied to the ISS ever since, and teams from NASA and Boeing are still working to bring the astronauts safely back to Earth.
Currently, NASA has outlined two options: either fix the problems so astronauts can pilot the Starliner back to Earth, or return the Starliner to Earth “unmanned.”
This second option would see Wilmore and Williams return home in February 2025 on SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission – which would extend their stay from the originally planned eight days to about eight months.
What happens to people in space?
There is undoubtedlyHealth risks in space travelbut astronauts like Wilmore and Williams are well trained and have the necessary experience of life on board their “second home” – the ISS.
When they return home in February, they will have been exposed to more radiation than originally expected for eight months.
But that is still a relatively low dose compared to the exposure of other astronauts. Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko, for example, has spent more than 1,000 days in space. His current stay began in March.
One of the biggest challenges to human health in space is weightlessness. Since humans evolved with Earth’s gravity, our bodies are simply not designed to live without it. The absence of gravity can lead to loss of bone density, increase the risk of kidney stone formation, impair vision, and negatively impact the cardiovascular system.
Studies have also shown that higher radiation exposure in space increases the risk of cancer and leads to muscle wasting.
An astronaut’s perspective
In a press conference on Wednesday, NASA chief astronaut Joe Acaba – who himself has spent 306 days in space – emphasized the inherent risks of space travel that all astronauts face.
“We begin our missions fully aware of the different scenarios and consequences that may await us. We undergo rigorous training to prepare ourselves both mentally and physically for the challenges that may arise during a mission,” said Acaba.
“Human spaceflight is inherently risky and as astronauts we accept that as part of our job.”
What do the Starliner astronauts do to pass the time?
While Starliner remains docked, Wilmore and Williams have been busy, “integrating” themselves into the station’s work schedule with the other ISS crew members, which include four members of SpaceX Crew-8 and three from the Soyuz MS-25 mission.
“They’re just as busy as any other crew up there,” Acaba said.
How do they know if it is safe for the Starliner to return?
While project teams work through the available data, a multi-stage review process is underway that will ultimately determine whether Starliner returns to Earth with Wilmore and Williams on board. During this phase, NASA staff are still collecting data to support these review processes.
Regular program meetings have been held – most recently last week – to assess the progress of the technical teams analyzing the Starliner data.
NASA also conducts an agency-level flight readiness review involving three independent technical agencies. Reviewers include staff from the Safety and Mission Assurance Division, NASA’s chief engineer, and the agency’s chief health and medical officer.
Once this investigation is complete, recommendations will be forwarded to Ken Bowersox, NASA’s deputy space agency director, who will consult his teams on whether a return to Earth should be conducted and then make a decision about the flight.
“When the agency reviews it, I just go and say what I think,” Bowersox said.
“At that point, there could be a persistent dissent, the issue could come up after a PCB and then be addressed at the Flight Readiness Review, and it could be further explored beyond that.”
Dissenting opinions on whether to proceed could be forwarded to NASA Deputy Administrator Jim Free or possibly Administrator Bill Nelson, who can then make a final decision.
Has this ever happened before?
According to NASA, flight readiness reviews during the mission are not uncommon. Officials confirmed that a similar review took place during the mission whenSpaceX’s first manned test flight took place in 2020.
“Before any major milestone, especially a test flight, we conduct a thorough review of our readiness,” said Emily Nelson, NASA’s chief flight director. “We don’t always bring agency leadership specifically into this conversation, but we certainly review our readiness before any dynamic milestone.”
When will NASA make a decision?
Although there is no set date, logistics will play a role in Ken Bowersox’s decision. Right now, it looks like NASA will decide how Wilmore and Williams will return by the end of August.
A surprise: Boeing spacesuits don’t work at SpaceX
Although Boeing and SpaceX are both part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, their spacecraft and mission equipment are unique, including the spacesuits the astronauts wear. If an emergency forces Wilmore and Williams to return on the SpaceX Crew Dragon 2 spacecraft, they may have to do so “without protective equipment.”
If the final decision is made in favor of a planned return of the Starliner crew in the SpaceX capsule, Wilmore and Williams will be equipped with appropriate suits for the return. Due to the repair work on the Starliner, the next SpaceX flight to the ISS will not start until September 24 at the earliest.
Edited by: Derrick Williams
