Produced by: Tarun Mishra
Credit: SpaceX
NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams remain stranded aboard the International Space Station (ISS) due to multiple issues discovered with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft.
Initially planned for return on June 13, the astronauts' departure has been postponed three times without a new return date established this time.
Elon Musk's SpaceX could potentially play a vital role in the rescue mission by sending a Crew Dragon spacecraft, either unmanned or with a minimal crew of two astronauts to provide an alternative return option for Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams if Boeing's Starliner encounters critical issues.
One logistical challenge is that there is currently no available docking port for a Crew Dragon spacecraft. NASA would need to manoeuvre the Starliner away from its current dock using the Canadarm robotic arm to clear the docking port for Crew Dragon.
To facilitate the rescue mission, NASA would need to coordinate the undocking of the Starliner and its temporary relocation using robotic tools before allowing the Crew Dragon to dock and retrieve the stranded astronauts.
While technically feasible, such a rescue mission would require precise planning and execution to ensure the safety of the astronauts aboard the Crew Dragon and the successful return to Earth amid the complexities of orbital mechanics.
Elon Musk's SpaceX, known for its innovative approaches to space travel, would play a pivotal role in potentially executing this rescue operation if needed, showcasing the flexibility and capabilities of its Crew Dragon spacecraft in unforeseen scenarios.
Due to the limited fuel capacity of the Harmony module, Starliner can only stay docked for 45 days, narrowing the window for a safe return flight. Currently, 18 days have passed, with 27 days remaining.