Boeing’s Starliner capsule, known as “Calypso,” recently undocked from the International Space Station after months of delays. Originally meant to depart sooner, the spacecraft left the ISS without the two astronauts it had brought to orbit in early June. NASA test pilots Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams will now remain at the ISS until February, when they will return to Earth aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft.
The journey of the Starliner capsule was far longer than anticipated, with the spacecraft spending roughly three months at the ISS instead of the initial nine days that was planned. This extended stay was due to issues with the capsule’s thrusters, prompting Boeing to conduct investigations and delay the return multiple times. Despite reassurances from Boeing officials that the spacecraft was safe for the astronauts, NASA decided to send the Starliner back empty to further understand the root causes of the problems.
The delayed return of the Starliner capsule has not only impacted Boeing’s progress in NASA’s Commercial Crew Program but has also raised concerns about the company’s future involvement. With over $1.5 billion in losses already absorbed, the setback could potentially threaten Boeing’s partnership with NASA. The agency had aimed to have both Boeing and SpaceX as viable options for transporting astronauts to the ISS, but the recent issues with the Starliner have cast doubt on Boeing’s reliability.
The delayed departure and prolonged stay of Boeing’s Starliner capsule highlight the challenges and uncertainties that can arise in space exploration. While setbacks are not uncommon in the aerospace industry, it is crucial for companies like Boeing to address and rectify issues promptly to ensure the safety of astronauts and the success of future missions. The lessons learned from this experience will undoubtedly shape the future of space travel and hopefully lead to improved technologies and procedures for future missions.