Eight weeks after the Starliner spacecraft launched, NASA is still looking for possible answers to its technical issues—including the possibility of SpaceX lending a hand.
NASA spokesperson Josh Finch told Ars on Thursday evening, “NASA is evaluating all options for the return of agency astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams from the International Space Station as safely as possible. No decisions have been made, and the agency will continue to provide updates on its planning.”
A standard statement like this doesn’t really warrant a news article.
That is a notable change from “we’re just double checking things on the Starliner, which we think we can fix. We expect them to ride it home soon” that has been the message for a long time. Now it’s “we’re looking at all options”.
A standard statement like this doesn’t really warrant a news article.
That is a notable change from “we’re just double checking things on the Starliner, which we think we can fix. We expect them to ride it home soon” that has been the message for a long time. Now it’s “we’re looking at all options”.
Imagine setting NASAs credibility on fire to keep Boeing warm.
For weeks it hasn’t been about fixing starliner for the return trip, it’s been about studying the thrusters before they get destroyed on return.
The claim is it’s been okay to come back for quite awhile.