Two NASA astronauts may face an extended mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS) due to an unexpected issue with their spacesuits following a malfunction in their Boeing Starliner spacecraft.
Spacesuit compatibility concerns
The astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, who were originally scheduled to return to Earth in mid-June, could remain in space longer than planned due to an incompatibility between their Boeing-designed spacesuits and the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, which may be their only viable means of returning home.
NASA has confirmed that the spacesuits were specifically designed to work with their respective spacecraft. “The Boeing spacesuit is made to work with the Starliner spacecraft, and the SpaceX spacesuit is made to work with the Dragon spacecraft,” a NASA spokesperson told Fox News Digital. “Both were designed to fit each unique spacecraft.”
Technical challenges and safety concerns
The astronauts arrived at the ISS on June 5 aboard the Boeing Starliner, which was intended to be a short mission. However, technical difficulties, including helium leaks and propulsion system problems, have complicated their return. The situation has raised concerns about the safety and feasibility of bringing the astronauts back to Earth in their current spacecraft. Russ DeLoach, NASA’s Chief of Safety and Mission Assurance, emphasized the astronauts’ familiarity with the ISS, noting that this mission marked the third time both Wilmore and Williams have traveled to the space station.
The incident highlights challenges in the era of space commercialization, where NASA’s role in spacecraft design and mission planning has shifted. The growing involvement of private companies like Boeing and SpaceX has introduced complexities, such as the current issue with spacesuit compatibility, that NASA must now navigate. NASA has yet to confirm whether the spacesuit issue could jeopardize the astronauts’ return.
Upcoming decisions and potential outcomes
On Saturday, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and agency leaders will conduct an internal test flight readiness review for the Boeing crew flight test. During the review, any formal dissents will be addressed and resolved, according to NASA.
Following the review, NASA is expected to hold a live news conference at 1 p.m. from the Johnson Space Center in Houston.
A decision on whether to return the Starliner spacecraft to Earth with astronauts is anticipated no earlier than Saturday.
If NASA decides to return Starliner without a crew, astronauts Wilmore and Williams will remain on the space station until late February 2025, according to NASA’s website.
In this scenario, NASA would plan to have only two crew members, instead of four, on the SpaceX Crew-9 mission to the space station in September. Wilmore and Williams would then return to Earth with the two-person crew early next year.
