NASA plans to bring the Boeing Starliner back from the International Space Station (ISS) on September 6, after a nearly three-month delay. Originally intended to bring the crew back to Earth, the craft will instead return empty after concerns about its thrusters and helium leaks resulted in NASA deciding to wait for further testing and safety confirmation.
What’s Happening & Why This Matters
The ongoing Starliner delays and issues mean the crew on board the ISS, comprised of NASA’s Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, are still stuck in orbit with no planned return date. NASA is also said to be preparing for an epic Artemis II mission with its powerful Space Launch System (SLS) rocket that will take four astronauts to space close to the lunar surface. The core stage of the rocket is currently en route to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on a barge.
After encountering thruster and helium leak issues, the return of the Starliner will mark its third flight, with the first one ending in failure and the second one being successful. The ongoing issues with the Starliner have left crew members stranded on the ISS without a planned return date. NASA is preparing for an epic Artemis II mission with the SLS rocket that will take four astronauts to space, close to the lunar surface.
TF Summary: What’s Next
As the Boeing Starliner finally prepares for its return from the ISS nearly three months later than planned, the spacecraft’s ongoing issues continue to impact its crew. The spacecraft will now travel back to Earth empty. This third flight, following a one failed launch and one successful mission, are being high scrutinized for such a seminal NASA vehicle. As NASA gears up for another significant mission with its SLS rocket, confidence in the long-term space travel hangs into the void.
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