NASA has reaffirmed its decision to keep astronaut Sunita Williams off the Boeing Starliner, despite the spacecraft’s successful landing over the weekend. The capsule, which landed at White Sands Space in New Mexico, returned to Earth uncrewed after encountering technical difficulties. The decision to exclude Williams and fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore was driven by safety concerns following issues with the spacecraft.
Challenges During the Starliner Landing
While the Starliner’s descent was praised as a “bullseye landing” by NASA’s commercial crew program manager Steve Stich, the mission was not without its problems. The spacecraft experienced a malfunction with one of its thrusters and a temporary blackout of its guidance system during reentry. These issues underscored NASA’s cautious approach, which prioritized astronaut safety over mission success.
NASA’s Commitment to Safety
Steve Stich and Ken Bowersox, NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate, both emphasized that the decision to keep the Starliner uncrewed was rooted in the agency’s core value of safety. Despite the successful landing, the spacecraft’s technical problems highlighted the risks inherent in spaceflight. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson reinforced this commitment to safety, noting that the decision was based on the best available information and modeling at the time.
Looking Forward
As Williams and Wilmore prepare for a news conference from the International Space Station on September 13, questions about Boeing’s future in spaceflight persist. Analysts, including Ron Epstein from Bank of America, have expressed uncertainty about Boeing’s continued role in manned space missions. The company faces scrutiny over delays and cost overruns, raising doubts about its future in space exploration.