Two NASA astronauts currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS) may have to wait until 2025 to return to Earth, according to recent statements from NASA officials. The situation arises from ongoing issues with the Boeing Starliner capsule that launched the astronauts into orbit in June.
The Starliner, which encountered problems with its thruster system during its mission, is currently deemed unsafe for a return trip. As a result, NASA is considering alternative options, including potentially using SpaceX's Crew Dragon to bring the astronauts back to Earth. If Starliner remains unfit for the return journey, the astronauts could return on the Crew Dragon as late as February 2025.
Ken Bowersox, NASA’s associate administrator for space operations, noted that the agency is evaluating multiple options. "Reasonable people could pick either path," Bowersox said, referring to the uncertainty surrounding Starliner's thruster system.
The Starliner’s mission, which began on June 5, was the company's first crewed mission after delays caused by leaks and thruster issues. However, during docking at the ISS, five of the capsule's 28 thrusters failed, leading to an indefinite extension of what was initially planned as an eight-day mission.
In response to the situation, NASA has been in discussions with SpaceX to reserve seats on their upcoming Crew Dragon launch in September. This contingency plan would allow the astronauts to return on Crew Dragon in early 2025 if necessary. Despite this, NASA’s commercial crew program manager, Steve Stich, emphasized that the agency's primary goal is still to return the astronauts via Starliner.
“We have done the requisite planning to make sure we have other options open,” Stich explained. He also confirmed that SpaceX’s Crew Dragon has been prepared to accommodate the astronauts if needed, allowing for a potential return in February 2025.
