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August 23rd, 2024
Wait-a-Minute!
Image credit: Barbara David
The high drama of a “stranded” Starliner two-person crew needing “rescue” comes to a head in a wait-a-minute weekend.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and leadership will hold an internal Agency Test Flight Readiness Review on Saturday, Aug. 24, for NASA’s beleaguered Boeing Crew Flight Test.
Right after that top leadership gathering, about an hour later, NASA will host a live news conference at 1 p.m. Eastern Time from the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.
NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore, left, and Suni Williams, wearing Boeing spacesuits, wave to viewers in pre-launch photo.
Image crrdit: NASA/Joel Kowsky
Technical challenges
Both NASA and Boeing experts, as well as safety-of-flight gurus have assessed data. That information has been gathered both in space and on the ground, focused on issues that cropped up with the Starliner’s propulsion and helium systems “to better understand the ongoing technical challenges,” explains NASA.
During Starliner’s flight to the space station, some of the spacecraft’s thrusters did not perform as expected. Furthermore, several leaks were observed in Starliner’s helium system.
“The review will include a mission status update, review of technical data and closeout actions, as well as certify flight rationale to proceed with undocking and return from the space station,” NASA adds.
Boeing Starliner attached to International Space Station. Coming home empty?
Image credit: NASA
Abandon in place?
But will astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams be onboard the Starliner for a projected land touchdown?
Now safely tucked inside the International Space Station, the twosome were launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner on June 5 for a projected 8 day mission.
There’s chatter about use of the SpaceX Dragon to retrieve the astronauts. But that “abandon in place” decision for the duo means they’d stay put on the ISS until late February of next year.
NASA would replan the agency’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission by launching only two crew members instead of four in late September.
Boeing “Doghouse” unit containing thrusters.
Image credit: Boeing
Wilmore and Williams would then return to Earth after the regularly scheduled Crew-9 increment early next year.
If that’s the path they’ll need SpaceX space suits; the Boeing Starliner space suits are not compatible with the Dragon spacecraft.
Auto-piloting
Also in the decision mix is returning Starliner to Earth on auto-pilot mode, empty of crew next month. Doing so means uploading new software into Starliner for re-entry and a parachute landing, perhaps in New Mexico.
Starliner artwork depicts landing in New Mexico.
Credit: Boeing
So, once again, it’s high drama on the high seas of space.
Early musings
For some early musings about this simple twist of fate flight, go to:
Return of Starliner: Doghouse Deliberations
https://www.leonarddavid.com/return-of-starliner-doghouse-deliberations/
Starliner’s Saga: Tuning in the “Uncertainty Band”
https://www.leonarddavid.com/starliners-saga-tuning-in-the-uncertainty-band/
Boeing Starliner: NASA’s “Deposit, No-return” Decision?
https://www.leonarddavid.com/boeing-starliner-nasas-deposit-no-return-decision/
Watch the media event on NASA+, NASA Television, the NASA app, YouTube, and the agency’s website.
Go to:
Wait-a-Minute!
Image credit: Barbara David
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