NASA Overhauls SpaceX Mission, 2 Astronauts Removed To Ensure Sunita Williams & Butch Wilmore’s Return

NASA removed two astronauts from an upcoming SpaceX mission to accommodate the return of astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore stranded at the ISS due to issues with the Boeing Starliner capsule.

File Photo of astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore

Source : X/@NASA

NASA has made a significant change to its upcoming space mission, removing two astronauts from the next SpaceX crew to accommodate the return of astronauts currently stranded at the International Space Station (ISS). The decision comes after issues were identified with Boeing’s Starliner capsule.

NASA astronauts Nick Hague and Russian astronaut Aleksandr Gorbunov are scheduled to launch aboard a SpaceX rocket in September, a statement informed. They will return to Earth in February alongside NASA’s Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore. However, due to ongoing problems with the Boeing Starliner capsule, which has experienced thruster malfunctions and helium leaks, NASA has deemed it too risky for Williams and Wilmore to return on this spacecraft.

Consequently, NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Stephanie Wilson, who were initially slated to join the SpaceX mission, have been bumped from the flight. NASA indicated that both Cardman and Wilson may have opportunities to fly on future missions. The space agency stressed that the decision was made considering various factors, including spaceflight experience.

"NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Stephanie Wilson, previously announced as crewmates, are eligible for reassignment on a future mission. Hague and Gorbunov will fly to the space station as commander and mission specialist, respectively, as part of a two-crew member flight aboard a SpaceX Dragon," the statement read.

NASA's Decision To Bring Back Uncrewed Boeing Starliner

The Starliner capsule, which has been plagued by technical issues since its arrival, will return to Earth without crew members. NASA stated that this uncrewed return will enable further testing and data collection, mitigating additional risks.

In a post on X, NASA announced: “After extensive review by experts across the agency, NASA's @BoeingSpace Crew Flight Test will return with an uncrewed #Starliner. Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are scheduled to return to Earth next spring.”

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson highlighted the agency’s commitment to safety, stating: “Spaceflight is risky, even at its safest and most routine. A test flight, by nature, is neither safe, nor routine. The decision to keep Butch and Sunita aboard the ISS and bring Boeing’s Starliner home uncrewed is the result of our commitment to safety: Our core value and our North Star.”

Williams and Wilmore will continue their duties as part of the Expedition 71/72 crew until February 2025. They are expected to return aboard a Dragon spacecraft with two other crew members from SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission. The Starliner is anticipated to depart from the ISS and undergo a controlled autonomous re-entry and landing in early September.

NASA and Boeing have been addressing the issues with the Starliner since June 6, when helium leaks and thruster problems were detected. The ongoing efforts have included data reviews, flight and ground testing, and the development of contingency plans.