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How SpaceX could end up rescuing stranded astronauts if Boeing’s Starliner can’t be fixed
NY Post ^ | 6/25/24 | Ronny Reyes

Posted on 06/26/2024 1:24:32 AM PDT by Libloather

SpaceX may be forced to come to the rescue of two astronauts stranded at the International Space Station after their Boeing Starliner suffered troubling helium leaks.

Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams soared into space on the Starliner on June 5 and were only supposed to remain at the ISS for nine days — but issues with their ship have left their return date still up in the air, and NASA is now furiously trying to help solve the problem.

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.

While NASA and Boeing officials have reiterated that the current problems aboard the Starliner don’t indicate the need for SpaceX to lend a hand, the Crew Dragon is up to the task.

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.

SpaceX had served as the sole commercial company approved to transport astronauts and cargo to the space station since 2020.

SpaceX did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment Tuesday.

Michael Lembeck, an aerospace engineering associate professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign who served as a consultant for Boeing’s spaceflight division from 2009 to 2014, told The Post that the Starliner is still likely to be Wilmore and Williams’ ride back to Earth.

(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; History; Science; Travel
KEYWORDS: astronauts; boeing; spacex; starliner
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To: FLT-bird
Remember when some former astronauts claimed SpaceX was a dead end?

In mid-2008, all 3 of Musk's companies - SpaceX, Tesla and Solar City - were days from bankruptcy, due to the (engineered to elect Obama) "financial crisis."

21 posted on 06/26/2024 6:34:50 AM PDT by montag813
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To: V_TWIN

Same here-—

BIDEN & GROUP WILL HAVE TO CHOKE ON THIS.

This ADMIN tried to SUE MUSK because he wasn’t hiring ILLEGALS AT SPACE X.

I would have lived to have been a fly on the wall when he pointed out to them that US LAW forbids hiring ILLEGALS on such projects.


22 posted on 06/26/2024 6:46:05 AM PDT by ridesthemiles (not giving up on TRUMP---EVER)
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To: ridesthemiles

LOVED-—not lived

AUTO CORRECT!!!!!!!! UUUGGHHH


23 posted on 06/26/2024 6:49:51 AM PDT by ridesthemiles (not giving up on TRUMP---EVER)
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To: AndyJackson

Sierra Nevada (now Sierra Space) had a better design than Boeing, but lost the bid for a manned capsule.


24 posted on 06/26/2024 6:53:07 AM PDT by kosciusko51
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To: Reverend Wright

wow, just wow


25 posted on 06/26/2024 6:56:34 AM PDT by BigFreakinToad (Remember the Biden Kitchen Fire of 2004)
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To: Redleg Duke

This. Don’t doubt it.


26 posted on 06/26/2024 6:58:01 AM PDT by larrytown (A Cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do. Then they graduate...)
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To: Libloather

that this is a POS, Boeing risked those astronaut’s life to save face. NASA should ask for a freaking refund.


27 posted on 06/26/2024 6:58:58 AM PDT by BigFreakinToad (Remember the Biden Kitchen Fire of 2004)
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To: V_TWIN

Everyone and the Media obsesses about the helium leak. That is the minor problem as sufficient helium is still on board the craft. The biggie is the thrusters. Some are not working. That could smoke you.


28 posted on 06/26/2024 7:37:42 AM PDT by cpdiii (cane cutter, deckhand, oilfield roughneck, drilling fluid tech, geologist, pilot, pharmacist ,MAGA)
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To: cpdiii

Nobody wants a problem in space no matter how minor.....but compound problems?......I just hope they get back ok, no matter how.


29 posted on 06/26/2024 7:58:38 AM PDT by V_TWIN (America...so great even the people that hate it refuse to leave!)
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To: AndyJackson

If only they couldn’t “do” anything. They most often do things that hurt this country. Bureaucrats suck!


30 posted on 06/26/2024 8:09:39 AM PDT by hal ogen (First Amendment or Reeducation Camp??)
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To: montag813

ouch!


31 posted on 06/26/2024 8:38:51 AM PDT by Thunder 6 (Panzer, los geht's!)
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To: ridesthemiles

“This ADMIN tried to SUE MUSK because he wasn’t hiring ILLEGALS AT SPACE X.”

Back around 2005, there was a software engineer at Boeing who went by the name Mr Hands. Mr Hands had a thing for horses, and made news when he bled to death from having sex with his stallion. I can’t help but think this was an early symptom of what plagues Boeing today.


32 posted on 06/26/2024 8:44:57 AM PDT by beef (The pendulum will not swing back. It will snap back. Hard.)
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To: AndyJackson

What failing rocket ship company was Boeing forced to take over that is now the actual problem?


33 posted on 06/26/2024 8:45:34 AM PDT by bert ( (KE. NP. +12) Hamascide is required in totality)
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To: beef
Mr Hands?


34 posted on 06/26/2024 8:47:53 AM PDT by Magnum44 (...against all enemies, foreign and domestic... )
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To: Magnum44

If you would like more info:

https://knowyourmeme.com/editorials/guides/what-is-mr-hands-and-why-should-you-not-watch-it-the-infamous-shock-video-explained


35 posted on 06/26/2024 9:02:51 AM PDT by beef (The pendulum will not swing back. It will snap back. Hard.)
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To: Libloather

DEI strikes again?


36 posted on 06/26/2024 9:12:24 AM PDT by OrioleFan (Republicans believe every day is July 4th, Democrats believe every day is April 15th.)
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To: kosciusko51

but sierra has a cargo version and it will be launched to the station some time in september i believe


37 posted on 06/26/2024 11:51:41 AM PDT by markman46 (engage brain before using keyboard!!!)
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To: markman46

Yep. They repurposed the manned version to be cargo only.


38 posted on 06/26/2024 12:45:25 PM PDT by kosciusko51
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To: V_TWIN
Here is how....

Blnk
39 posted on 06/26/2024 6:58:05 PM PDT by minnesota_bound (Need more money to buy everything now)
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