NASA has officially announced that astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams will return to Earth in February 2025 aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, abandoning the original plan to use Boeing’s troubled Starliner. This decision comes after persistent issues with the Starliner’s propulsion system, including thruster failures and helium leaks, which were detected during its maiden crewed flight to the International Space Station (ISS) in June 2024.NASA Administrator Bill Nelson emphasized the priority of crew safety, stating, ‘The decision to keep Butch and Suni aboard the International Space Station and bring Boeing’s uncrewed Starliner home is a reflection of our commitment to safety—our core value and our North Star’. The astronauts, who were initially scheduled for an 8-day mission, have now been on the ISS for over 80 days and will remain there for approximately eight months.The SpaceX Crew-9 mission, originally planned to transport four people, will now carry only two astronauts when it launches on September 24, 2024, from the Kennedy Space Center. Wilmore and Williams will join this crew for their return journey in February 2025. Meanwhile, the Starliner is expected to make an uncrewed, autonomous return to Earth in early September 2024, allowing NASA and Boeing to collect crucial test data for future improvements.This development marks a significant setback for Boeing, which had hoped the Starliner mission would redeem the program after years of delays and ballooning costs. Despite this setback, NASA officials, including Nelson, have expressed hope that Starliner’s problems can be corrected for another crewed flight in about a year.The situation underscores the challenges and risks associated with space exploration and the importance of prioritizing safety in human spaceflight. As NASA continues to work with both Boeing and SpaceX, the agency remains committed to maintaining a diverse fleet of spacecraft for accessing the ISS and future deep space missions.
Key points
- NASA has decided to return astronauts Wilmore and Williams on a SpaceX Dragon in February 2025 due to Starliner issues.
- The Starliner will make an uncrewed return to Earth in September 2024 for further analysis and improvements.
- This decision highlights NASA’s commitment to crew safety and the challenges in space exploration.
Contradictionsđź‘ľWhile most sources agree on the February 2025 return date, one article mentions February 2024, which appears to be an error given the context of other reports.
