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The two American astronauts who were launched into space for an 8-day mission in June may remain on the International Space Station (ISS) until 2025 due to a malfunction in their Boeing Starliner spacecraft, NASA said.
NASA said astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunny Williams, who became the first crew to fly the Starliner capsule, could return on SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft in February 2025 if the Starliner is still deemed unsafe to return to Earth .
The US space agency is discussing potential plans with SpaceX to leave two seats open for the upcoming Crew Dragon launch, which has been delayed by a month to August 6.
The astronauts' June 5 test mission, originally expected to last about 8 days at the station, was delayed by problems with the Starliner's propulsion system that increasingly called into question the spacecraft's ability to return them safely to Earth.
A Boeing spokesman said that if NASA decides to change the Starliner mission, the company "will take the necessary actions to configure the Starliner for an unmanned return."
Using a SpaceX ship to return astronauts that Boeing had planned to return with the Starliner would be a major blow to the aerospace giant, which has struggled for years to compete with SpaceX and its more experienced Crew Dragon.
The Starliner has docked with the ISS for 63 of the maximum 90 days it can stay, and is parked at the same port that Crew Dragon will have to use to deliver the upcoming crew of astronauts.
The SpaceX Crew-9 launch was originally scheduled for mid-August. NASA now claims that the mission will launch after September 24.
In July, Boeing said that after rigorous ground tests, engineers had found problems with the Starliner, including sudden engine failure and a helium leak.
In an Aug. 2 statement, the company said its "confidence in the return of Starliner with a crew remains high."
Recent reports have suggested that there is even more behind-the-scenes conflict between NASA and Boeing executives. Some of the agency's executives appear to have questioned whether the Starliner should bring Williams and Wilmore back. | BGNES
