NASA is delaying its next astronaut launch to buy more time at the International Space Station for Boeing's troubled new crew capsule.
NASA is delaying its next astronaut launch to buy more time at the International Space Station for Boeing’s troubled new crew capsule.
The space agency said Tuesday it’s bumping SpaceX’s four-person flight from this month to next. It’s now targeted for Sept. 24 at the earliest. Officials said that will give them more time to analyze thruster and leak problems that hit Boeing’s Starliner capsule after its June liftoff, its first with a crew on board.
Tuesday marked the two-month point at the space station for Starliner’s test pilots, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who should have been back by mid-June. NASA is weighing all its options for returning the two veteran astronauts, including a ride home in a SpaceX capsule.
So is the issue getting them home or is it using the Starliner? Couldn’t they send them back on SpaceX and then dump the Starliner to burn up in Atmosphere or a controlled crash in the ocean? Why are they tying the two together?
That didn’t answer my question though. There is a chance of issue with sending them back on the Starliner. Last thing Boeing wants is another Challenger incident. So ditch the Starliner for the sake of the crew.