Stranded Astronauts Face Suit Dilemma in Space
Two British astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, are facing a prolonged stay on the International Space Station (ISS) after their Boeing Starliner spacecraft developed technical issues, potentially delaying their return to Earth for months.
The astronauts, initially scheduled for an eight-day trip, have been stranded since June due to a helium leak and malfunctions in the Starliner's thrusters. While NASA and Boeing are testing the spacecraft for a safe return, they are also exploring alternative options due to the potential risks involved.
One such alternative is sending the astronauts home on a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, already docked at the ISS. However, this presents several challenges. The Dragon spacecraft can only accommodate four passengers, and Wilmore and Williams would become the fifth and sixth astronauts on board. Furthermore, their Starliner suits are incompatible with the Dragon, forcing them to return to Earth unsuited. While not inherently dangerous, this would provide less protection in case of an emergency.
This compatibility issue stems from NASA's shift towards commercial crewed space missions. Previously, NASA heavily involved itself in the manufacture and testing of spacecraft and space suits. However, with the development of the Commercial Crew Program in the 2010s, the agency has granted private companies greater autonomy, including the design of space suits, as long as they meet safety requirements. This approach resulted in two distinct suit designs for each spacecraft, with NASA not explicitly specifying cross-compatibility.
While some argue that having separate suit designs offers a safety advantage, preventing a flaw in one design from grounding both spacecraft, the current situation highlights the challenges of this approach.
Another option under consideration is sending the astronauts home on a different Dragon spacecraft scheduled to arrive at the ISS in September. This would require the original Starliner to undock and return to Earth autonomously, a task Boeing has expressed uncertainty about. This scenario would also involve the astronauts on the ISS installing two additional seats on the remaining Dragon spacecraft to accommodate all astronauts in case of an emergency.
The prolonged stay has put a strain on the astronauts and their families. The astronauts will likely miss Christmas and their 30th wedding anniversary. This unexpected extension, potentially stretching the mission from a week to eight months, has added a layer of uncertainty to an already challenging situation.
Both NASA and SpaceX have yet to respond to requests for comment. Boeing has referred all inquiries to NASA.
