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Difficulty sleeping and the mismatch between Boeing's spacesuits and SpaceX's. The astronauts are still lost in space

NASA faces dilemmas over returning astronauts stuck in space following malfunctions in Boeing's Starliner mission

Astronauts Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams aboard the International Space Station. Photo: NASA.
Astronauts Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams aboard the International Space Station. Photo: NASA.

The two American astronauts Sonny Williams and Butch Wilmore went on a mission in space on June 5 this year, expecting to return to Earth after only eight days. However, following a series of serious malfunctions in Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, the mission became much more complex than planned. Now, NASA faces the critical question of how and when they can be safely returned.

During the mission, a helium leak was discovered that forced a delay in the return of the astronauts until 2025, which far exceeded the planned mission of only 8 days. This delay caused some inconvenience to Wilmore Williams. In particular, sleeping conditions have become problematic. Williams was lucky, because she was able to get along with the CASA sleeper compartment in the European Space Agency's Columbus module. But Wilmore had to make do with a sleeping bag attached to the wall in the Japanese space agency's Kibo module.

In addition to this, the astronauts encountered the problem of a lack of clothing. There is no laundry service on the International Space Station, so the crew brings enough clothes for the entire mission. Because of the repeated delays in their return, Wilmore and Williams had to save on clothes until a Northrop Grumman resupply spacecraft mission in early August brought them new clothes.

As you remember, significant problems were discovered in the Starliner spacecraft during the approach to the International Space Station (ISS). Five of the engines that were supposed to help with critical maneuvers did not work, and in addition to that there was a leak of helium gas, which is used to push the fuel into the propulsion system. Following the malfunctions, the astronauts had to remain on the space station while NASA and Boeing engineers conduct in-depth technical tests to understand the source of the problems and examine the possibilities of their safe return.

During a press conference held last week, NASA announced that it will decide on the safe way to return the astronauts by the end of August. Among the options being considered is their return via a SpaceX spacecraft, which will be launched this fall, or on another flight that will depart in early 2025. If they choose the second option, the astronauts' stay in space will be extended to eight months - something that will dramatically change the nature of the original mission.

Returning by SpaceX spacecraft poses unique problems for NASA. The spacesuits that Williams and Willmore are equipped with are not adapted for SpaceX's spacecraft, and the earlier return flight will require them to fly without these suits, which raises concerns about their safety. If it is decided to wait for the later flight, NASA will have time to provide the appropriate suits, but the prolonged stay in space will bring with it additional health and physiological challenges for the astronauts.

Among NASA policy makers there is a real dilemma: should we wait and hope that the Starliner spacecraft can safely return the astronauts, or prefer using SpaceX, despite the associated risks. Simeon Barber, a space scientist from the Open University, commented on this in an interview with the BBC and said that "it seems that we are moving inevitably towards a return using the SpaceX spacecraft".

Boeing, for its part, continues to express full confidence in the Starliner's abilities to perform the mission safely. The company claims that it can solve the problems discovered and return the astronauts safely to Earth. However, Barber's comments reflect ongoing concerns at NASA about the spacecraft's ability to handle the mission in its current state.

NASA states that it does not rule out the possibility of using the Starliner in emergencies, but the current situation puts the company in a sensitive position for it. Boeing, which won multi-billion dollar tenders alongside SpaceX to provide commercial space flights to NASA, is facing its first critical test. While SpaceX has already carried out nine successful manned flights for NASA, this is the first time that Boeing has carried out a manned mission, and the possible failure to return the astronauts on its spacecraft could cause great embarrassment and damage to the company's reputation.

In addition, NASA confirmed that it is using external experts in the field of propulsion systems to analyze the data from the Starliner spacecraft and assess the existing risks. This analysis will continue in the coming weeks, and only after that will a final decision be made.

This mission, led by two experienced astronauts, is proving to be one of the most challenging in recent years for NASA. The combination of complex technical failures with safety and strategic dilemmas, places the agency in front of a difficult test - how to ensure the safe return of the crew members in the fastest possible time, while maintaining the highest level of safety.

A long stay in space involves physical and mental difficulties. The stay at the station causes changes in sleeping habits, which may affect their alertness and general health. In addition, the equipment and supplies taken into space were designed for a short eight-day mission, and now have to make do with limited resources. For example, their spacesuits do not fit the SpaceX spacecraft, which adds to the complexity of planning their return to Earth. The situation requires re-planning and additional supplies if they are to remain in space for a longer period of time, which obliges NASA to take into account all these aspects in the final decision.

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Comments

  1. And to think that in the 60's they sent a spaceship with astronauts to the moon back and forth is a big deal and now to collect them here above us is impossible..

    Keep telling stories about the moon landing
    I would love to know which Hollywood studio it was at

  2. Policy issues and a rotten corporate culture destroyed Boeing years ago. This is just one of the results.

    On the other hand, the SpaceX engineers do not lack pressure, but the environment and the culture that has taken root is completely different, even if it is not without problems, it does not include the acute problems that led to bad decisions, not only in the field of space at Boeing.

    A dedicated group of Space engineers were instructed to assist with solutions to make the expected flight adaptation of the astronauts in the SpaceX spacecraft safer, including the creation of ad hoc adaptations in 3D self-production on Earth as well as those that will be produced on the space station.
    I work together with engineers at NASA and Boeing, while maintaining engineering and technological complexities and maintaining secrecy where necessary (military and business), but with the supreme value of preserving the lives of the astronauts and bringing them safely to Earth - comes first.

  3. Boeing just keeps getting worse. Airplanes crash and disintegrate in the air, spaceships don't work and workers who complain about the quality die in unnatural circumstances.

  4. So what are they doing there all the time? You can give them guard and kitchen shifts with the existing staff.

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