Tech Desk
Aug 07, 2024
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) commercial programme has already experienced great milestones, especially the successful launch of Boeing's Starliner capsules and SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft. However, recent issues with the Starliner's thrusters have raised concerns about its readiness for an upcoming crewed mission.
SpaceX's next astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS) has been pushed back until September 24 because of issues with Boeing's Starliner capsule.
The Crew-9 mission was supposed to launch on August 18 originally. NASA is pushing the date, however, to buy more time so that mission managers can complete finalising return planning for the Boeing Crew Flight Test.
Boeing's Crew Flight Test, launched on June 5, had some issues heading into ISS orbit; among other things, five of its 28 reaction control system thrusters stopped working.
It stays docked while NASA and Boeing work through when it might be safe for the astronauts to return to Earth in the capsule.
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This delay also applies to the Crew-9 astronauts, which was originally scheduled for August 18. These include Mission Commander Zena Cardman, Pilot Nick Hague, Mission Specialist Stephanie Wilson, and Mission Specialist Alexsandr Gorbunov. The launch for now has to wait until September 24.
This does not mean that NASA and Boeing are finished evaluating the Starliner's readiness to return to Earth.
The agency will hold a news conference on August 7 to update the public on current operations, including the Crew-9, Crew-8, and Crew Flight Test missions.
