Elon Musk’s SpaceX might be called upon to rescue astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who are currently stranded at the International Space Station (ISS) due to helium leaks in their Boeing Starliner spacecraft.
Why are Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore stranded in space?
The astronauts launched aboard the Starliner on June 5 for what was supposed to be a nine-day mission at the ISS. However, troubling helium leaks have left their return date uncertain, forcing NASA to look for alternative solutions. Initially scheduled to return on July 2, their re-entry has now been further delayed.
Could SpaceX be tasked with the rescue?
SpaceX, a Boeing rival, may be tasked with bringing the astronauts home using its Crew Dragon spacecraft. This potential development would be a significant blow to Boeing, which has already faced approximately $1.5 billion in cost overruns beyond its initial $4.5 billion NASA contract. The situation poses a substantial setback for Boeing’s goal of making Starliner a viable option for ISS missions.
Despite the urgency, NASA and Boeing officials have downplayed the need for SpaceX’s involvement. They insist that the current issues with the Starliner do not necessitate external intervention. However, SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, which recently transported four astronauts to the ISS in March, remains ready for the task. It can accommodate two to four passengers and can handle additional occupants in an emergency.
Since 2020, SpaceX has been the sole commercial company approved to transport astronauts and cargo to the ISS, underscoring the competition and challenges within the commercial spaceflight sector.
Next steps for Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore
Wilmore and Williams will stay aboard the ISS until at least July 2 as officials continue to investigate the helium leaks affecting the Starliner, which remains docked at the station. Michael Lembeck, an aerospace engineering professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a former Boeing spaceflight consultant, told the NY Post that he believes the Starliner will still likely be the astronauts’ return vehicle. “Right now, I’d say the need for SpaceX to step up is very low,” Lembeck said. “We would have to see a big problem come up in the next couple of days to warrant that reaction.”
NASA’s decision to delay the astronauts’ return allows more time to study the Starliner while it’s still attached to the ISS, ensuring a thorough understanding of what went wrong. Although the capsule carrying the astronauts will return to Earth, the service module, which houses the engines, fuel, and helium tanks, will not.
Officials assure that Wilmore and Williams can still fly home despite the leaks if any dire issues arise aboard the ISS, as there is ample helium gas remaining.
Setback for Boeing’s space mission
Experts suggest that NASA might be cautious, as a rescue mission involving SpaceX would imply serious, potentially life-threatening hardware defects with the Starliner.
The last time NASA needed external help to bring an astronaut home was in 2022 when a Russian Soyuz capsule leak stranded American astronaut Frank Rubio. Although NASA considered SpaceX for that rescue, Rubio ultimately returned on an empty Soyuz capsule launched by Russia, extending his mission to a record-breaking 371 days.
This incident significantly impacts Boeing’s aspirations to make Starliner the second option for NASA scientists to reach the ISS. The aerospace giant’s struggles highlight the high stakes and challenges of commercial spaceflight.