NASA Contemplates SpaceX's Intervention for Stranded Boeing Starliner Crew at ISS

Uncertain Return Date for Boeing Starliner Crew

During a press briefing on Wednesday, Steve Stich, the manager of NASA's commercial crew program, revealed that a confirmed return date for the crew of the marooned Boeing Starliner spacecraft at the International Space Station (ISS) is still pending. He stated that all options are being meticulously evaluated, including the possibility of deploying SpaceX's Crew-9 Dragon for the rescue of the two astronauts. Stich informed the press, "The main plan is to bring Butch and Sunny back on the Starliner. However, we have made necessary preparations to keep other options available. We are in talks with SpaceX to ensure they are prepared to deploy Crew-9 if needed."

Extended Stay at ISS for Astronauts

The astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, were initially scheduled to stay at the ISS for a few days only. However, their stay has now extended to two months and might even go up to eight months, with a potential return date in February 2025, as reported by News Week. "We have not officially decided on this course of action, but we wanted to ensure we had all possible flexibility," Stich added.

Boeing's Silence and Political Implications

Interestingly, after two months, Boeing has not publicly sought help from Elon Musk's SpaceX. This could potentially tarnish Boeing's reputation, particularly in light of the recent series of in-flight mishaps involving its 737Max commercial jets. The situation is further complicated by the ongoing election year for the Biden administration, which has been actively opposing Trump and his supporters, including Musk. Therefore, any rescue mission conducted by SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft could potentially create unfavorable news for the Democrats. Last Saturday, a report from Ars Technica suggested a "greater than a 50-50 chance that the crew would come back on Dragon."

Delay in SpaceX's Planned Crew-9 Mission

The stranded Starliner spacecraft has caused a bottleneck at the ISS, resulting in a delay of SpaceX's planned Crew-9 mission. Originally scheduled for August 18, the mission has been postponed to no earlier than September 24. According to a NASA blog update, this "allows more time for mission managers to finalize return planning for the agency's Boeing Crew Flight Test."

Bottom Line

Could it be that Trump's wealthiest supporter might come to the rescue at the ISS? What are your thoughts on this development? Do you think SpaceX should intervene to rescue the stranded astronauts? Share this article with your friends and let us know your views. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.