Posted on 06/26/2024 11:44:40 AM PDT by Red Badger
Two NASA scientists are currently stranded in orbit aboard the International Space Station, due to multiple helium leaks in the Boeing Starliner that should have brought them back to Earth 13 days ago.
Now speculation arises that rival company SpaceX may be called upon to rescue Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams.
The Astronauts’ mission on the Starliner was launched on June 5, and they were only to remain at the ISS for nine days.
Now, troubles with the spaceship mean that their return date is still uncertain, as NASA scrambles ‘furiously’ to solve the problem.
New York Post reported:
“Boeing-rival SpaceX could potentially end up being tapped to ultimately bring them home aboard its Crew Dragon spaceship.
The outcome would serve as a severe blow to troubled aerospace giant Boeing, which has spent about $1.5 billion in cost overruns — beyond its initial $4.5 billion contract with NASA — in hopes of making Starliner a second option to reach the ISS.”
The Starliner docked in the ISS. NASA and Boeing insist that the current Starliner problems don’t warrant the need for SpaceX to lend a hand.
“The SpaceX ship, which recently ferried four astronauts to the ISS in March, is capable of carrying two to four passengers at a time, but it can fit additional occupants in an emergency.”
Elon Musk’s SpaceX served as the sole commercial company approved to transport astronauts and cargo to the space station since 2020.
“NASA most likely delayed the return trip home so that they could spend more time studying the craft while it’s still attached to the ISS to learn more about what went wrong and how to avoid it for its next mission.”
After a series of delays in the launch, NASA and Boeing managers knew of a Helium leak, but deemed it too small to pose danger to the mission.
But during the launch and flight up to the ISS, other leaks developed, so the situation ‘remains fluid’.
This is hardly the first time Astronauts or Cosmonauts have been stranded in space. The last NASA astronaut stranded in space was American Frank Rubio, after problems with the Russian Soyuz capsule that took him to the ISS. He ended up staying 371 days in Space.
starliner will be starflatliner soon
I didn't mean for that to rhyme,
but it happens all the time.
Simply making it to the ISS intact is a major accomplishment.
Lots of money in its development.
How are those DEI programs and hiring based on skin color, and not merit, working out for Boeing?
Your post reminds me of that old joke.
The airliner pilot gets on the loudspeaker:
“I wanted to let you know how proud I am—this is my first passenger jet flight. Our takeoff was successful and we reached cruising altitude successfully and we are on course and on schedule.
However—I just want to let you know that I have never landed one of these planes. They tell me that it is the hardest part of being a pilot.
But—don’t you worry yourselves. Just watch the beautiful views out the window and our meal and drink service and enjoy the flight.”
Remember I told ya last week it may come to this. 😏
If they are that concerned, they should send the craft back empty just to see what happens.
Then send the crew home at a later date...............
if it’s boeing, they ain’t going ...
“Lots of money in its development.”
Having spent 31 years in aviation maintenance, 17 of that in quality assurance, it looks to me like they went cheap in their QA.
“Simply making it to the ISS intact is a major accomplishment.”
sort of like biden being able to stand up for 90 minutes in the debate, right?
Yes, even the astronaut couple is very well diversified!
I am so glad that the DEI works!
I know. Musk returns the Boeing crew to earth, then buys the inert spacecraft in place for pennies on the dollar, fixes it, and returns it to earth. Musk walks away with whatever passes for Boeing technology and a gold star for rescuing the Boeing crew. Win, win.
Boeing should just hand the keys over to Elon. Their Jack Welch-inspired strategy of manufacturing financial bullshit instead of aircraft has failed.
Maybe you are a poet and don’t know it? ;-)
Get them home safe regardless of how.
LOL the Biden Administration will either have to ask Elon Musk or the Russians for help.
Bill Nelson is NASA Administrator......he was an idiot POS democrat Florida senator and it appears he’s carried his world class mediocrity to NASA.
They should have been smarter than to take a "job" at NASA.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.