Boeing's troubled spacecraft is to return empty - while Nasa astronauts stay in space until February 2025.
Boeing's Starliner spacecraft is set to begin its journey back to Earth - but the astronauts it was supposed to be carrying will stay behind on the International Space Station.
They will instead return in a SpaceX Crew Dragon, but not until February 2025 - extending an eight-day stay on the ISS to eight months.Its flight back will last six hours, and after it re-enters the Earth’s atmosphere it will use parachutes to slow its descent to land at the White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico at 05:03 BST on Saturday.Steve Stich, Nasa’s commercial crew programme manager, told a media briefing that both astronauts were passionate about their jobs.
“The Nasa team, due to the uncertainty and the modelling, could not get comfortable with that,” he said. It was supposed to have four astronauts on board, but instead it will travel with two. This leaves room for Butch and Suni to join them in the vehicle to return to Earth at the end of its planned stay next February.Dana Weigel, manager of the International Space Station, said that the astronauts were adapting well to their extended mission. Both have previously completed two long-duration stays in space.
“So they actually have all of the standard expedition gear at this point that any other crew member would be able to select. And we’ve got another cargo vehicle coming up, so we’ll send up anything else that they need for the back-end half of their mission on that flight.”The issues with Starliner have no doubt been a blow to Boeing, which is suffering from financial losses as it struggles to repair its reputation following recent in-flight incidents and two fatal accidents five years ago.
When their space shuttle fleet was retired in 2011, the US spent a decade relying solely on Russia’s Soyuz spacecraft to transport its crew and cargo - a situation Nasa admitted was far from ideal.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Starliner latest: NASA outlines options to rescue Boeing pilots stuck on space stationOfficials may turn to Elon's SpaceX if Calamity Capsule proves too risky to return with crew
Read more »
NASA astronauts stranded in space on ISS after Boeing Starliner malfunctions get awful news about return...
Read more »
Needham astronaut aboard Boeing Starliner stranded in space as NASA works on solutionA problem with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft may leave Sunita Williams of Needham, Massachusetts, and fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore in space until February,…
Read more »
NASA will fly Boeing Starliner crew home with SpaceX, Calamity Capsule deemed too riskyEight days going on eight months for pilots stuck on orbiting space station
Read more »
Astronauts hear strange 'pulsing sounds' from Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, sparking NASA investigationAstronauts on the International Space Station have reported hearing a strange 'pulsing' sound coming from the Boeing Starliner spacecraft.
Read more »
NASA gives crucial update on when astronauts trapped in space will return to EarthThe fate of stranded Boeing Starliner crew remains uncertain as NASA and Boeing weigh the life-threatening risks of returning them on SpaceX's Crew Dragon or the faulty Starliner.
Read more »