NASA Says Astronauts Stranded in Space by Boeing May Be Flown Home by SpaceX in 2025.

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#1

Boeing Starliner docked at ISS



NASA officials say the two astronauts stranded in space by Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft could end up returning to Earth in 2025 inside Elon Musk’s SpaceX Dragon Crew spacecraft, according to multiple reports.
While NASA officials insist that Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are not stranded in space, the two astronauts who launched into orbit on June 5 were initially expected to return home as soon as June 14 — just eight days later.
After launching into orbit, Boeing’s Starliner began facing problems, including helium leaks and failing thrusters, but NASA officials downplayed the difficulties, claiming they were not “significant at all.”
Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months, and now NASA officials are acknowledging that these issues might be more serious than they had initially thought.
Now, the agency admits it has been looking into possibly sending the astronauts home on the Dragon spacecraft.
Last week, sources told Ars Technica that NASA was in the middle of robust discussions about whether to fly the crew home on Starliner or Dragon, with some engineers arguing that the fact they even have to question whether Starliner can safely send the astronauts back to Earth means NASA should opt for the Dragon.
“We could take either path, and reasonable people could pick either path,” NASA’s Ken Bowersox said on Wednesday during a press conference, according to a report by the New York Times.
If NASA opts for SpaceX’s Dragon, Musk’s spacecraft will launch into orbit with two astronauts instead of four, so that the stranded Starliner astronauts can join them for the return trip, reaching Earth in February 2025, the report added.
“In the last few weeks, we have decided to make sure we have that capability there, as our community, I would say, got more and more uncomfortable,” NASA’s program manager for commercial crew Steve Stich said.
While the agency has not yet decided which spacecraft it will choose, Stich added that a decision would have to be made this month.
But if NASA sends the astronauts home on Musk’s Dragon, that could mean the end of Boeing’s Starliner program.
Notably, Boeing has billions of dollars in aerospace contracts with the federal government. Moreover, Boeing said in a SEC filing last week that it expects to lose $125 million because of the Starliner delays.

ANYBODY HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT THE ASTRONAUTS ARE DOING FOR FOOD OR WATER?
 
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#3
Maybe they brought some tomato seeds, and planted a few like those 'fore-thinking' folks did when they took over Seattle a few years ago.

A few seeds, bit of dirt, couple pieces of cardboard. That's all that's needed, apparently.

And I'm sure they've improvised a type of "outhouse" there too, considering. After all, there's nothing but "Space" up there!
 
#4
PatMiles said:
ANYBODY HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT THE ASTRONAUTS ARE DOING FOR FOOD OR WATER?
Click to expand...
From what I’ve ever watched or read about the space station, all the water is recycled from within the station itself. That’s from what was originally sent up there. They recycle urine and sweat as well. Supposedly has some super effective and efficient process that saves 98% of water on board with no resupply.
 
#9
Sean the Nailer said:
Maybe they brought some tomato seeds, and planted a few like those 'fore-thinking' folks did when they took over Seattle a few years ago.

A few seeds, bit of dirt, couple pieces of cardboard. That's all that's needed, apparently.

And I'm sure they've improvised a type of "outhouse" there too, considering. After all, there's nothing but "Space" up there!
Click to expand...

Poop ta’maters!

IMG_5335.jpeg
 
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#10
PatMiles said:

Boeing Starliner docked at ISS



NASA officials say the two astronauts stranded in space by Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft could end up returning to Earth in 2025 inside Elon Musk’s SpaceX Dragon Crew spacecraft, according to multiple reports.
While NASA officials insist that Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are not stranded in space, the two astronauts who launched into orbit on June 5 were initially expected to return home as soon as June 14 — just eight days later.
After launching into orbit, Boeing’s Starliner began facing problems, including helium leaks and failing thrusters, but NASA officials downplayed the difficulties, claiming they were not “significant at all.”
Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months, and now NASA officials are acknowledging that these issues might be more serious than they had initially thought.
Now, the agency admits it has been looking into possibly sending the astronauts home on the Dragon spacecraft.
Last week, sources told Ars Technica that NASA was in the middle of robust discussions about whether to fly the crew home on Starliner or Dragon, with some engineers arguing that the fact they even have to question whether Starliner can safely send the astronauts back to Earth means NASA should opt for the Dragon.
“We could take either path, and reasonable people could pick either path,” NASA’s Ken Bowersox said on Wednesday during a press conference, according to a report by the New York Times.
If NASA opts for SpaceX’s Dragon, Musk’s spacecraft will launch into orbit with two astronauts instead of four, so that the stranded Starliner astronauts can join them for the return trip, reaching Earth in February 2025, the report added.
“In the last few weeks, we have decided to make sure we have that capability there, as our community, I would say, got more and more uncomfortable,” NASA’s program manager for commercial crew Steve Stich said.
While the agency has not yet decided which spacecraft it will choose, Stich added that a decision would have to be made this month.
But if NASA sends the astronauts home on Musk’s Dragon, that could mean the end of Boeing’s Starliner program.
Notably, Boeing has billions of dollars in aerospace contracts with the federal government. Moreover, Boeing said in a SEC filing last week that it expects to lose $125 million because of the Starliner delays.

ANYBODY HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT THE ASTRONAUTS ARE DOING FOR FOOD OR WATER?
Click to expand...

After reading, I have zero doubts that humans will always be a singular planet species till extinction.
.
 
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#13
There are 8 control thrusters and 5 or 6 failed during docking. They were able to get all but 1 working again temporarily. Initial testing shows they worked for 1.5s each.

However, ground testing has shown a serious design flaw and the fear is that any extended firing of a thruster could actually blow up the entire ship.

They also don't have the necessary software to auto pilot the ship safely back empty. They said it could take over a month to make that possible.

There are a couple dragon capsules already set to launch to space soon and reconfiguration to support bring back the two astronauts isn't conducive until the Feb 2025 existing planned flight. They have plenty of supplies so there isn't a rush to bring them back earlier.
 
#16
Boeing's leadership has not done them any favors in recent times but... orbiting the earth in a sardine can going on something like 10 weeks into an 8 day mission... Fuck that noise, I wouldn't wish that on anyone. But these are Americans and the situation they're in. If anyone needs any benchmarks on how our society has changed, think back to Apollo 13 (or at least think of the Tom Hanks movie if you need to) and the world was glued to the news, church services/prayer vigils were held, and society held their breath as arguably some of the greatest minds our country had to offer quickly worked together to bring them home safely. Fast forward to today- society is largely apathetic to the situation and it receives on the occasional media attention between pharmaceutical advertisements and constant coverage over VP picks and political mudslinging.

I sincerely hope that we still have enough quality folks in NASA that we can solve this soup sandwich and bring our people home safely to their families much sooner than 2025.

-LD
 
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#19
softcock said:
After reading, I have zero doubts that humans will always be a singular planet species till extinction.
.
Click to expand...
Correct. Between lack of free market for space stuff / welfare for the MIC, DidntEarnIt infestation, Muzzies , soros types , women voters.

We will never be able to make progress with these weights holding us back.
 
#20
NateVA said:
I personally think it's GREAT that Boeing successfully lobbied the US government to let Boeing do many of its own inspections and regulatory activities. Fixing this mess is going to cause them to divert a lot of money away from their whistleblower assassination budget.
Click to expand...
Boeing is like GM etc.

It should be allowed to go bankrupt. People will buy up the good/ profitable parts.

Instead more tax/printed money will be thrown at them.

Like when osama bailed out GM to save the scumbag unions , then immediately canceled their most profitable division (hummer)
 
#25
BurtG said:
Correct. Between lack of free market for space stuff / welfare for the MIC, DidntEarnIt infestation, Muzzies , soros types , women voters.

We will never be able to make progress with these weights holding us back.
Click to expand...
Or maybe ??? just the 'basics' that are instant death like distances measured in 10's to thousands of years, zero water, compatible atmosphere, radiation..etc. Then after reading this article about lack of coordination with life support problems on orbiting 2 humans around their own atmosphere just 200 miles away. Science Fiction is good entertainment, and It pretty obvious humans are singular planet, and that life is given only here, and if you can't make it work here with even the simple 'basics' like half the worlds population not even having clean drinking water and sanitation. Tech. and the people who support it need to quit looking at Stars, and look down at the ground they walk.
.
 
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#26
Doesn’t seem right but I heard that the docked capsule has no software to disengage and move back from the ISS externally.

That sounds nuts if true. It was in a Daily Mail article so take the credibility considering the source.

If true would you be surprised?
 
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#27
softcock said:
Or maybe ??? just the 'basics' that are instant death like distances measured in 10's to thousands of years, zero water, compatible atmosphere, radiation..etc. Then after reading this article about lack of coordination with life support problems on orbiting 2 humans around their own atmosphere just 200 miles away. Science Fiction is good entertainment, and It pretty obvious humans are singular planet, and that life is given only here, and if you can't make it work here with even the simple 'basics' like half the worlds population not even having clean drinking water and sanitation. Tech. and the people who support it need to quit looking at Stars, and look down at the ground they walk.
.
Click to expand...
A19DAAD1-36FD-4542-B4AC-F0E34F96C1E4.gif


But yeah asd the muzzies / Africans to the road blcok list. In re to “no food or running water “
 
#28
pmclaine said:
Doesn’t seem right but I heard that the docked capsule has no software to disengage and move back from the ISS externally.

That sounds nuts if true. It was in a Daily Mail article so take the credibility considering the source.

If true would you be surprised?
Click to expand...
I heard/read the same thing.

I haven't really followed this very closely, but one of the first questions that comes to mind is "Don't they have more than one dock ?"

And no, at this point, I wouldn't be surprised.

I think it's also telling that there really hasn't been a lot of news about this whole situation. Contrasted against the statement that "they may be up there until February of 2025". WHAT ? :eek::mad:

Ummm, sumting just ain't addin' up here......... :unsure:

I don't get the impression there's any sense of urgency. If I were the Astronauts and their families, I'd want some answers Ricky Tick. And, they'd better be good answers. It looks like Boeing doesn't have any.
 
#29
Threadcutter308 said:
I think it's also telling that there really hasn't been a lot of news about this whole situation. Contrasted against the statement that "they may be up there until February of 2025". WHAT ? :eek::mad:
Click to expand...
SpaceX has a crewed mission in a month, but I'm guessing they don't want to reconfigure the seats/cargo or bump scheduled astronauts to make room to bring them back. SpaceX next flight up is scheduled for Feb. They have a cargo mission I think Nov, but again, not configured for crew. They have another dragon going up soon, but it's not going to space station and doesn't have the docking ring. They swapped it out to do a test EVA elsewhere in orbit

There are two docks they could use, but need to leave behind an emergency escape capsule at the end of the stay. Starliner isn't really safe for humans flight, so it needs to go before the next docking mission. At this point they are waiting for Boeing to reload and configure the autonomous piloting software so they can kick it to the curb.
 
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#30
NoDopes said:
SpaceX has a crewed mission in a month, but I'm guessing they don't want to reconfigure the seats/cargo or bump scheduled astronauts to make room to bring them back. SpaceX next flight up is scheduled for Feb. They have a cargo mission I think Nov, but again, not configured for crew. They have another dragon going up soon, but it's not going to space station and doesn't have the docking ring. They swapped it out to do a test EVA elsewhere in orbit

There are two docks they could use, but need to leave behind an emergency escape capsule at the end of the stay. Starliner isn't really safe for humans flight, so it needs to go before the next docking mission. At this point they are waiting for Boeing to reload and configure the autonomous piloting software so they can kick it to the curb.
Click to expand...
Makes a lot of sense, Thanks very much.

My sense is that the situation is much more urgent/critical than what is being disclosed. I'm sure Boeing wouldn't be happy if the Astronauts come back in a SpaceX vehicle. But......it beats the hell out of them coming back in the Boeing vehicle and tragedy were to strike. Praying that doesn't happen.

Boeing has egg on their face over this whole situation. For me, the question is, when this is all over, how much of that egg will remain. I think that if Boeing were to magically clean up their act in it's entirety, they're still going to be wearing that egg for quite some time after the dust settles.

It's too bad, I hate to see this happen. My Mother worked at Boeing. Her paycheck put a lot of food on our table when I was a kid.
 
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#31
Threadcutter308 said:
Makes a lot of sense, Thanks very much.

My sense is that the situation is much more urgent/critical than what is being disclosed. I'm sure Boeing wouldn't be happy if the Astronauts come back in a SpaceX vehicle. But......it beats the hell out of them coming back in the Boeing vehicle and tragedy were to strike. Praying that doesn't happen.

Boeing has egg on their face over this whole situation. For me, the question is, when this is all over, how much of that egg will remain. I think that if Boeing were to magically clean up their act in it's entirety, they're still going to be wearing that egg for quite some time after the dust settles.

It's too bad, I hate to see this happen. My Mother worked at Boeing. Her paycheck put a lot of food on our table when I was a kid.
Click to expand...
Guessing your Mom never went to a DEI training during her time at Boeing,
 
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