In a major decision announced today, NASA has determined that astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, who have been stranded aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for nearly three months, will return to Earth via a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft in February 2025 instead of the troubled Boeing Starliner that originally transported them.

The decision comes after weeks of uncertainty and deliberation within NASA regarding the safety and reliability of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, which experienced issues with leaking helium and malfunctioning thrusters during its inaugural crewed test flight in June. While Boeing expressed confidence in Starliner’s ability to safely return the astronauts, growing concerns within NASA prompted serious consideration of utilizing SpaceX’s proven Crew Dragon as an alternative.

Starliner’s Troubles and NASA’s Dilemma

The Starliner spacecraft, which carried Williams and Wilmore to the ISS on June 2, 2024, was originally slated for an eight-day mission. However, the discovery of helium leaks and the failure of five out of 28 reaction control thrusters during the initial phase of the flight forced NASA and Boeing to extend the mission indefinitely while engineers worked to diagnose and address the issues.

As the weeks turned into months, NASA’s confidence in Starliner’s ability to safely return the crew began to wane. Internal discussions within the agency revealed a growing unease regarding the spacecraft’s reliability, prompting serious consideration of SpaceX’s Crew Dragon as a backup option.

The dilemma faced by NASA was further complicated by the fact that Starliner remains the primary emergency escape vehicle for Williams and Wilmore in the event of an urgent need to depart the ISS. However, with no pressing need to bring the astronauts home immediately, NASA opted to take additional time to fully understand Starliner’s technical issues before making a final decision on their return.

SpaceX to the Rescue

With today’s announcement, NASA has confirmed that SpaceX’s Crew Dragon will indeed serve as the vehicle to bring Williams and Wilmore back to Earth. The decision was made following an agency-level evaluation that concluded it was too risky to attempt a crewed return on Starliner given the ongoing uncertainties surrounding its propulsion system.

Under the new plan, NASA will reconfigure its upcoming SpaceX Crew-9 mission, set to launch in late September, to carry only two astronauts instead of the usual four. This will free up two seats on the Crew Dragon for Williams and Wilmore, who will officially join the Crew-9 expedition for an extended six-month stay on the ISS.

The earliest possible return date for Williams and Wilmore is now February 2025, when the Crew-9 mission is scheduled to conclude. In the meantime, Starliner will be undocked from the ISS and returned to Earth uncrewed, freeing up a docking port for the incoming Crew Dragon.

Implications for Boeing and the Commercial Crew Program

The decision to return Williams and Wilmore via SpaceX is a significant blow to Boeing’s troubled Starliner program, which has faced numerous delays, technical setbacks, and cost overruns in recent years.

Boeing has already incurred losses of approximately $1.6 billion on the Starliner program due to various issues, including a failed uncrewed test flight in 2019 and the discovery of concerning problems such as the use of flammable adhesive tape prior to the 2022 test flight.

The embarrassment of having to rely on rival SpaceX to bring home the Starliner crew is likely to compound these financial and reputational damages for Boeing, which is already under heavy scrutiny for persistent manufacturing issues with its aircraft, particularly the 737 Max.

For NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, which aims to foster the development of private spacecraft capable of ferrying astronauts to and from the ISS, the Starliner’s struggles highlight the challenges and risks inherent in relying on commercial partners for such critical missions.

While SpaceX has proven itself a reliable and capable partner with its Crew Dragon spacecraft, the lack of a viable second option in Starliner underscores the need for continued investment and oversight to ensure the long-term success and resilience of the program.

A Challenging Road Ahead

As Williams and Wilmore settle in for an unexpectedly long stay aboard the ISS, attention will now turn to the future of Boeing’s Starliner program and its role in NASA’s commercial crew ambitions.

Boeing has stated that it remains confident in Starliner’s capabilities and is committed to addressing the issues that have plagued the spacecraft thus far. However, the company faces an uphill battle to restore confidence in the vehicle and prove its worth as a reliable transportation option for NASA astronauts.

For NASA, the decision to return Williams and Wilmore via SpaceX is a pragmatic one driven by the overriding priority of ensuring the safety of its astronauts. However, it also serves as a stark reminder of the challenges and uncertainties inherent in the agency’s reliance on commercial partners for access to space.

As the Commercial Crew Program moves forward, NASA will need to carefully balance the benefits of private sector innovation and cost savings with the need for robust oversight and risk management to ensure the continued success and safety of its human spaceflight endeavors.

In the meantime, Williams and Wilmore will continue their extended mission aboard the ISS, conducting valuable scientific research and maintenance tasks while NASA and Boeing work to chart a path forward for the troubled Starliner program.

The road ahead for Starliner and Boeing’s commercial crew ambitions is sure to be a challenging one, but with the support of NASA and the resilience of its dedicated workforce, there remains hope for a successful resolution to the current crisis and a bright future for American spaceflight.