[dailydriver]

Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore NASA astronauts and much travelled space explorers, have been stuck on board the International Space Station for more than two months now. A veteran with many record breaking flights and space walks to her credit, Sunita Williams piloted a Boeing Starliner test flight to the ISS on June 5, 2024 and was supposed to fly back after eight days. However, due to several logistical, operational and software issues, the spacecraft Calypso is currently immobile. While efforts are on to make it flight worthy, the obvious difficulties with handling mechanical works in space as well as the limited availability of skilled manpower in the immediate vicinity have thrown a spanner in the plans.

Williams and Wilmore took off on a test mission on Boeing Starliner to the International Space Station (ISS) on June 5 and were expected to return in eight days. However, the plans went awry. Now more than two months on, they are still floating above the Earth. It was the first of its kind flight with people on board.

Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore

The mission was a test to evaluate the performance of the new spacecraft before it is used regularly. The Starliner was scheduled to begin its return journey on June 26.

Boeing Starliner Calypso

...several issues were detected in some of the key mechanisms of the spacecraft even before it docked at the ISS. There were leaks in the propulsion system and some of its thrusters started shutting down. However, despite the glitches the Starliner reached the ISS safely.

...since the takeoff, the capsule has had five helium leaks. Helium pressurises the rockets, helps maintain their structural integrity, and helps manoeuvre the spacecraft.

That is not the only issue. Five of the 28 manoeuvring thrusters have gone dead and a propellant valve failed to close completely, according to a report in Reuters.

The crew in space and mission managers in Houston have been pursuing the fixes. Boeing claims to have fixed most of the issues through a series of simulations – around 1,00,000 – with 27 thrusters now reportedly working at full capacity. However, NASA has requested more data from Boeing, as there is doubt that the Starliner might be unsafe to fly back to Earth

The spacecraft that has been in flight mode since 2019 has had a chequered past with problems constantly hindering its progress. Boeing's rivalry with SpaceX and America's cold relationship with Russia and China have also been deterrents to the safe return of the two astronauts.

International Space Station

What's the solution then?

NASA is examining whether the two astronauts could return in another vehicle – SpaceX’s Crew Dragon. It said on Wednesday that the astronauts could fly back on SpaceX’s Crew Dragon in February 2025 if Starliner is still deemed unsafe.

The mission undertaken by Elon Musk’s SpaceX is scheduled to launch in September and return to Earth next year. At first four crew members were to be aboard. But now two seats could be kept empty to bring back Williams and Wilmore.

It is not the only way out. Multiple plans exist to get the astronauts back to Earth, including having them even hitch a ride on a Russian Soyuz craft, reports USA TODAY.

Recently, NASA used a SpaceX rocket to deliver more food and supplies, including extra clothes.

Living in space, inside the ISS isn't easy. Although four other astronauts are currently in long term residence there, the addition of Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore has posed new challenges.

Williams is suffering from bone density loss due to prolonged exposure to microgravity. This can lead to other health complications such as visual impairment and the risk of DNA damage, according to a report in The Indian Express.

A trip that was supposed to last a week stretching to infinity could lead to severe stress and psychological issues for the persons involved, onboard the ISS as well as on earth.

My understanding of the situation is that there are multiple options to bring the two astronauts back to earth. As can be seen in the picture, Cygnus 20, Soyuz MS-25, Progress 87 & 88 and SpaceX Crew-8 are still docked to the ISS.



But the viability of requisitioning them for the rescue appears to be a Herculean task; for now.

Sources:
1, 2, 3, 4

Disclaimer: Albeit reflective of my attempts at appropriating Sunita Williams' Indian connection and hence clearly biased, please rest assured that in spite of the title, I have as much regard and concern for her co-traveller Barry 'Butch' Wilmore as I have for her.

[Jeroen]

I have been following this story for the last two months. It is a huge fiasco for NASA and Boeing. Unbelievable these two companies can’t get this sorted.

Jeroen

[deathwalkr]

Apparently NASA plans to bring them back in 2025 only?

https://indianexpress.com/article/wo...-nasa-9502807/

[Rodie09]

When Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore arrived at ISS in June, I remember seeing a video of her dancing to celebrate her arrival. Notably, there were other astronauts too to receive her at ISS.

My question may be very naive but I wonder why is this a problem only for Sunita and Barry. What about the other folks? Are they not stuck too? Do they have any other means and plans for other folks but only Sunita and Barry are stuck in this conundrum?

A quick search showed there are 7 people aboard ISS usually and partial crew change typically happens every 3 months. So, going to ISS and returning is a very routine process. If not Starliner, there are other established alternates. No?

Apologies in advance if I missing out something very obvious.

[Geo_Ipe]

I have no idea about space travel, but someone please explain why another spacecraft cannot be sent to ISS to bring Williams & Wilmore back!?

Please try to explain it as if you're doing to a 4 year old - asking on behalf of a lot of BHPians without knowledge in this field.

[Jeroen]

There are other options to bring them back. That’s not really the issue. The main issue is that damn capsule. These two were specifically trained for this particular test flight of the capsule.

It does take up one of the two docking station on the ISS. But they can’t just undock it. They need to be absolutely sure this thing will be controllable as it undocks and will be in a fit state to return to earth. To bring it back to earth you need trained astronauts. NASA doesn’t have to many of them in this capsule either.

If they bring home this duo now and send them or an other couple back up, that will cause havoc with the rotation schedule of the ISS. All missions are planned years in advance.

Also, I m pretty sure these two are busy 24/7 running all kinds of test in cooperation with the ground to figure out what is going on.

Whereas it’s probably not true this two are really stuck, bringing them back to earth now isn’t going to solve anything.

That is before we consider the (political) fall out of such a move.

Jeroen

[Rodie09]

Thanks @Jeroen, that helps to understand.

One of the pictures of posted above is of a tweet showing at least 3 human rated space crafts docked at ISS. So, I think there are at least 3 docking stations there. The pic shows some more but may be those are not for human rated crafts. I can be wrong.

Coming to the plan on crew rotation, are we saying that for such risk prone space missions there are no Plan Bs? That is really tough to comprehend. We are hearing Sunita is having bone loss issues and prolonged stay may even do DNA damage to her. Even with such health implications, the rescue plan stretching into Feb 2025 sounds odd - specially when other crafts are available, and crew rotations are normal.

May be I am oversimplifying things. I am sure the greatest minds are at work round the clock to bring them back safely.

[DriverLess]

This is a lot more nuanced topic than how the press usually reports.

Scott Manley (video below, first ~4minutes) does a very good job of providing up to date details. Here he is discussing the current state and possible options.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKbDApzT1iw

[MahiDesai]

Why not let the STARLINER be sent bank to Earth as empty vessel, and let it reach / not reach Earth, but save lives of Sunita and Barry and bring them with other tried and tested modes of transport between the ISS and Earth?

Live are more important than that damn STARLINER capsule, that can go into oblivion / destruction / successful return without humans inside.

my 2 cents...

Cheers
Mahi

[NomadSK]

Never ending troubling times for Boeing. Looks like, the downward spiral began when they started replacing engineers at the top level. Management at the top can make or break a company.

Although the report is for Artemis IV, scheduled to be launched in 2028, shows glaring neglect in technical quality aspects and the prevalent culture.

While NASA requires its aerospace contractors to have quality assurance programs that comply with SAE International’s AS9100D standards on quality management systems, we found Boeing’s quality management system at Michoud does not adhere to these standards or NASA requirements.

Boeing’s Quality Management System for Core Stage Production at Michoud Does Not Meet Industry Standards.

Institute financial penalties for Boeing’s noncompliance with quality control standards.

Boeing’s process to address deficiencies to date has been ineffective, and the company has generally been nonresponsive in taking corrective actions when the same quality control issues reoccur.

DCMA found contamination of metal shavings, Teflon, and other debris on and underneath the entry platform and ladder assembly on the forward dome panels inside of the tank

The liquid oxygen tank dome is a critical component of Core Stage 3, and according to NASA officials, the welding issues arose due to Boeing’s inexperienced technicians and inadequate work order planning and supervision.

Report Link

[Sierra__foxtrot]

Originally Posted by MahiDesai

Why not let the STARLINER be sent bank to Earth as empty vessel, and let it reach / not reach Earth, but save lives of Sunita and Barry
Cheers
Mahi

Boeing engineered this capsule in a way that there is no Auto Undock facility, which means the crew must be onboard to get this thing undocked from the ISS, but Boeing being Boeing had removed this auto dock/undock feature which was present in the test flight of the capsule from the actual manned flight!!!

[dailydriver]

Today's The Hindu reports of a few other instances when astronauts had overstayed in the Mir/ISS.



It also speaks about the conditions prevailing inside the International Space Station, supplies, logistics and other assorted issues.

Please click on the picture for a clearer view

[Jeroen]

The second article talks about this should have been a straight forward mission. I think that is a grossly misrepresentation. There are no straight forward missions. Each mission is hugely complex and carries considerable risk.

This was a test mission. Which also, by definition, means it is very likely you will find some stuff that is not working or not working correctly.

Space is a very unforgiving environment and there is no such thing as straight forward missions. It might appear so, perhaps the the audience at large. Compared to the Gemini and later Apollo era, public interest in space exploration has dwindled. But incidents such as these are a reminder that going to space is still an inherently risky undertaking with many unknown.

If you look into all the various missions over the years, you will find that almost all of them suffered from various problems and issues. In most cases the crew, with help from ground based engineers could find solutions. But a space flight is nowhere as routine as going out on a commercial airliner for instance.

Jeroen

[Jeroen]

The latest update from NASA. Pretty comprehensive.

https://www.nasa.gov/missions/statio...starliner-faq/

Jeroen

[dailydriver]

Boeing Starliner returns to earth; the crew however, is still stuck aboard the ISS.

NASA shares an update on X.