NASA's Sunita Williams could 'vaporise to death' if she returns on faulty Boeing Starliner, says former Space System Commander
Produced by: Tarun Mishra
Two NASA Astronauts Stranded in Space
Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have been stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) for over two months due to issues with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, which was originally meant to bring them back to Earth after just eight days.
Faulty Thrusters Cause Delay
The Starliner spacecraft experienced failures with five of its 28 thrusters during the astronauts' journey to the ISS in June. These thrusters are critical for manoeuvring and re-entry, causing NASA to consider alternative options for the astronauts' return.
NASA Faces Difficult Decision
NASA is now deliberating whether to use the Starliner for the return mission despite the technical issues or to deploy a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft for a rescue mission. Using SpaceX’s craft would be an embarrassing setback for Boeing, which was awarded a $4.2 billion contract to develop Starliner.
Dangerous Re-entry Risks Identified
According to Daily Mail, Rudy Ridolfi, a former Space System Commander, outlined three potential dangers if NASA chooses to proceed with Starliner. If the spacecraft's re-entry angle is too steep, the capsule could burn up in Earth’s atmosphere. If too shallow, the spacecraft could bounce off the atmosphere and remain in space.
Concerns Over Thruster Performance
In addition to the re-entry risks, the potential for further thruster failures on the return journey is a major concern. If more thrusters malfunction, the astronauts could be left adrift in space, with only 96 hours of oxygen and power available to attempt a safe return.
Rescue Mission with SpaceX an Option
NASA may opt to use a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule to bring the astronauts back. This mission could launch in September, but would require removing two Russian cosmonauts from their planned seats on the spacecraft to accommodate Williams and Wilmore.
Ongoing Efforts to Test Starliner
Boeing and NASA engineers have been testing the Starliner’s systems on the ground and in space. However, continued issues, including helium leaks and overheating thrusters, have raised significant concerns about the spacecraft’s reliability for a safe return to Earth.