In a plot twist straight out of a space drama , NASA revealed that two astronauts stranded aboard the International Space Station since June might return to Earth via SpaceX’s Crew Dragon as early as February 2025. The reason? Lingering safety concerns about Boeing’s troubled Starliner spacecraft.
Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who made history as Starliner’s first crew, now face an uncertain homecoming. Their mission – initially planned as an 8-day test – has stretched into months due to thruster malfunctions and helium leaks detected during Starliner’s approach to the ISS. New test data has fueled heated debates at NASA about whether to risk a Starliner return or call in SpaceX’s proven Crew Dragon.
Why it matters: This potential switch would deal a heavy blow to Boeing’s space ambitions . Starliner remains docked at the ISS with only 27 days left of its 90-day safe window. Meanwhile, SpaceX’s Dragon would need to leave two seats open on its next crew launch – a logistical challenge NASA is scrambling to solve.
Boeing maintains it could reconfigure Starliner for an uncrewed return if needed, but the spacecraft’s repeated technical issues have cast doubt on its reliability. The situation highlights the growing gap between traditional aerospace giants and newer players like SpaceX, whose Dragon capsules have become NASA’s go-to ride since 2020.
As engineers race against the clock, one thing’s clear: The final decision could reshape the future of public-private space partnerships .
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, NASA revealed that two astronauts stranded aboard the International Space Station since June might return to Earth via SpaceX’s Crew Dragon as early as February 2025. The reason? Lingering safety concerns about Boeing’s troubled Starliner spacecraft.
. Starliner remains docked at the ISS with only 27 days left of its 90-day safe window. Meanwhile, SpaceX’s Dragon would need to leave two seats open on its next crew launch – a logistical challenge NASA is scrambling to solve.
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