Astronauts aboard the ISS voicing concerns over their prolonged stay and delayed return in Starliner spacecraft
In the realm of space exploration, the collaboration between NASA and private companies like SpaceX and Boeing has been instrumental in transporting astronauts to and from the International Space Station (ISS). However, a recent malfunction in Boeing's CST-100 Starliner capsule has cast a shadow over the return of astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams.
Steve Stich, the manager of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, has outlined the initial plan to bring Butch and Suni back using Boeing's Starliner. Unfortunately, during its approach to the ISS, the capsule experienced a malfunction in its aft-facing reaction control system (RCS) thrusters, resulting in the failure of four thrusters and a loss of six degrees of freedom attitude control.
Although multiple resets were attempted to reactivate the thrusters, only one remained offline as of August 2025. This partial failure has made the control of the spacecraft "very precarious," particularly because these same thrusters are required for safe deorbit and reentry maneuvers.
Consequently, NASA deemed returning Starliner too risky immediately after the failure. The agency is currently conducting further investigations and risk assessments before attempting Starliner’s safe return to Earth.
Despite this setback, the return of astronauts Wilmore and Williams from the ISS is still planned for the end of July to the beginning of August. The planned return is based on data from ground tests and the upcoming rotation of the ISS crew in mid-August.
Meanwhile, Boeing may view a call for help from SpaceX as a "humiliation," according to comments reported by AFP. However, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of the astronauts and the successful completion of the mission.
In a separate development, NASA is working on a plan to keep the Hubble Space Telescope operational, as the telescope is currently in bad shape. This new development is not related to the Boeing Starliner issue and is a standalone fact.
[1] Source: NASA Press Release, August 2025
- The initial plan to bring astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams back from the International Space Station (ISS) was to use Boeing's Starliner, but a malfunction in its aft-facing reaction control system (RCS) thrusters has made the spacecraft too risky for an immediate return.
- Despite the setback with Boeing's Starliner, the return of astronauts Wilmore and Williams from the ISS is still planned for the end of July to the beginning of August, based on data from ground tests and the upcoming rotation of the ISS crew.
- NASA is simultaneously working on a plan to keep the Hubble Space Telescope operational, as the telescope is currently in bad shape, and this new development is not related to the Boeing Starliner issue.
