When two American astronauts blasted off on a test mission to the International Space Station on 5 June, they were expecting to be back home in a matter of days.
But things didn't quite go to plan.
In fact, Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita Williams are still there, floating high above the Earth nearly two months later.
The pair - who are stuck indefinitely - now face the sudden prospect of missing the summer entirely and e.en spending Christmas and New Year in space.
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One potential option being considered, they said, is to attach the two astronauts to a mission that is scheduled to launch in September, and return them to earth with that mission in February 2025.
That flight to the space station will be made by a SpaceX Crew Dragon craft. The initial plan was for four crew members to be aboard, but two of the seats could be left empty if needed.
That plan would mean the astronauts would spend more than eight months – rather than eight days – aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
Boeing, of course, is trying to pressure NASA to stick the astronauts on the Starliner and bring them back that way. Boeing's reputation is on the line, but that's nothing compared to what will happen if things go pear-shaped on the return flight. If they kill the astronauts, Boeing's manned space program will probably be zeroed out by Congress.
That there is any thought, at this point, of bringing the astronauts back on Starliner is evidence of severe dysfunction, if not mental defects. Does NASA really want to risk losing another crew burning up on re-entry due to, in this case, a known problem?
Worst comes to worse, the commander of the Starliner mission should think hard about sending an email from the ISS if the decision is made for them to ride that turkey back with a one word response: "Unable." Yes, it would tantamount to mutiny. It would mean the end of the space careers of both astronauts.
Starliner should return from the ISS without a crew and point-down, if necessary. They should cram-train the heads of the program at Boeing and have them fly the next mission. If there is one.
7 comments:
Butbutbut....all the MBAs at Boeing are working day and night to effect an 'I believe in Tinkerbell' restoration of the Starliner's safety, functionality and credibility. Surely that will make everything better!
Relibility and safety are built in then rigorsly tested. If you don't break a few
when testing, then flying just might. The latter is to be avoided.
I'll hum a few bars of major tom.
Eck!
It would mean the end of the space careers of both astronauts.
Yeah,, but climbing in that thing and cutting it loose and heading home could also, and apparently, pretty Likely be, the end of their careers, too. I'm glad it is not a decision I will ever need to make.
Heck, they made it to the station alive. They should cut their losses and hitch a ride back on a working spacecraft. NASA owes them a speedy ride home. As long as Boing provided the space, they could fill it with trash to burn up on rentry.
w3ski
Yeah, but there's probably not room for that piece of trash that took them up there.
Starliner, the Safe and Effective of spacecraft.
Given the option of riding in or on a Boeing product or sandpapering a bobcat's ass in a phone booth... I'd really have to think about it.
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