NASA has confirmed that astronaut Sunita Williams is set to return to Earth on Saturday, pending a final decision on the safety of Boeing's Starliner capsule.
NASA's Decision on Boeing's Starliner Capsule
The US space agency announced on Thursday that it will decide this weekend whether Boeing's new Starliner capsule is safe enough to return two astronauts from the International Space Station (ISS). NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and other top officials will meet on Saturday to make the final decision, with a statement expected from Houston after the meeting.
Astronauts Awaiting Return
Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, who is of Indian descent, have been aboard the ISS since June. They launched on Boeing's Starliner on June 5, but the mission encountered significant issues, including rocket malfunctions and helium leaks. As a result, NASA parked the spacecraft at the station while engineers assessed the situation.
Potential SpaceX Retrieval
If NASA decides against using the Starliner for the return, SpaceX might retrieve the astronauts, though this would delay their return until next February. The original plan was for Wilmore and Williams to return after about a week at the station. If SpaceX is chosen, the Starliner will return to Earth empty in September.
Ongoing Testing and Risk Analysis
Engineers are currently testing a new computer model for the Starliner thrusters to evaluate how they will perform during re-entry and landing in the western desert of the United States. NASA has stated that these test results, along with revised risk analyses, will play a crucial role in the final decision.
Boeing's Confidence in Starliner
Boeing has expressed confidence in the Starliner's ability to safely return the astronauts, citing rigorous testing of the thrusters both in orbit and on the ground. However, the company’s first astronaut mission has faced several delays and challenges, with two previous empty Starliner test flights before this mission.
Background on NASA's Space Transportation
NASA contracted Boeing and SpaceX to transport its astronauts to and from the ISS after the space shuttles were retired ten years ago. Since 2020, SpaceX has been actively ferrying astronauts to the station, while Boeing's Starliner program has faced multiple delays.
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