NASA Eyes 2025 Plan with SpaceX
Boeing Starliner Astronauts May Fly Home on SpaceX
Engineers Grapple with Helium Leaks in Starliner's Propulsion System
NASA announced on Wednesday that astronauts delivered to the International Space Station (ISS) on the Boeing Starliner spacecraft may fly home on a SpaceX Crew Dragon vehicle in 2025. This decision comes after engineers detected helium leaks in the Starliner's propulsion system, compromising its ability to return to Earth safely.
According to NASA officials, the helium leaks have been a persistent issue, despite attempts to resolve them. The leaks have occurred in the spacecraft's reaction control system, which is responsible for controlling its orientation and maneuvering in space.
While the Starliner's crew is currently in good health and not in immediate danger, NASA has decided to delay the spacecraft's return to Earth until the leaks are fully addressed. The agency is working closely with Boeing to identify and fix the problem.
In the meantime, NASA is exploring the option of having the SpaceX Crew Dragon carry the Starliner astronauts back to Earth as part of the Crew-9 mission, scheduled for launch in September 2023.
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