"Starliner" Malfunction Strands Two American Astronauts in Space, SpaceX Rescue Facing Challenges

Tech 2024-08-22 10:31:28 Source: Network

"Starliner" Malfunction Strands Two American Astronauts in Space, SpaceX Rescue Facing ChallengesOn June 5, the "Starliner," jointly developed by Boeing and NASA's Commercial Crew Program, launched two American astronauts, Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams, into space. While they were initially scheduled to arrive at the International Space Station on June 6 and return to Earth on June 14, they remain stranded in space over two months later due to persistent technical issues with the "Starliner

"Starliner" Malfunction Strands Two American Astronauts in Space, SpaceX Rescue Facing Challenges

On June 5, the "Starliner," jointly developed by Boeing and NASA's Commercial Crew Program, launched two American astronauts, Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams, into space. While they were initially scheduled to arrive at the International Space Station on June 6 and return to Earth on June 14, they remain stranded in space over two months later due to persistent technical issues with the "Starliner."

"Starliner" Malfunction Strands Two American Astronauts in Space, SpaceX Rescue Facing Challenges

In a press conference on August 7, NASA acknowledged that Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams are trapped at the station due to the "Starliner" malfunction. To bring the astronauts back, NASA has proposed several options: one is to have them return on the "Starliner" and the other is to have them stay at the station for about 7 months and return on SpaceX's "Dragon" spacecraft.

"Starliner" Malfunction Strands Two American Astronauts in Space, SpaceX Rescue Facing Challenges

However, analysts have pointed out that if the two astronauts choose to return on the SpaceX spacecraft, the compatibility of their spacesuits would pose a significant challenge. According to the NASA Commercial Crew Program regulations, participating private companies are allowed to design their own spacesuits as long as they meet safety standards, and there is no mandatory requirement for the suits from different companies to be compatible. This is a way for NASA to control risks, allowing for other options if one company encounters problems.

According to the China Digital Science Museum, according to space mission conventions, astronauts wear intravehicular suits during both the ascent and descent phases of a flight to mitigate potential depressurization. The intravehicular suits must be connected to the spacecraft for power supply and emergency oxygen. Different companies have different intravehicular suit systems, specifically designed for use with their respective spacecraft. For example, SpaceX's intravehicular suits do not have independent pressure control or oxygen supply capabilities and require connection to the SpaceX spacecraft for power and oxygen. This means that if Barry and Sunita ultimately have to return on the SpaceX spacecraft, they will have to wear SpaceX intravehicular suits to enter the SpaceX spacecraft.

Swapan Krishna, a space-focused media professional, further analyzed that a potential solution might involve SpaceX sending only two crew members on the upcoming Crew-9 mission, leaving two spaces for delivering SpaceX intravehicular suits to Barry and Sunita.

It is understood that NASA and SpaceX's originally planned "Crew-9" mission for mid-August was delayed due to the "Starliner" technical issues, which was planned to carry four crew members to the International Space Station for a six-month science mission. Reports indicate that the earliest launch date for the "Crew-9" mission has been postponed to September 24, providing NASA with more time to determine the exact return date for the "Starliner" and its crew.

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