NASA expects to make a final decision before the end of next week on whether Boeing's Starliner capsule can bring astronauts Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams back to Earth from the International Space Station (ISS).

New York Times

Ken Bowersox, the associate administrator for NASA's space operations mission directorate, said Wednesday that NASA has "time available" to bring Wilmore and Williams home and wants to "use that time wisely."

Al Jazeera

Wilmore and Williams, who took off on Starliner's first crewed flight on June 5 for an eight-day stay at ISS, have been stranded there for over two months after Starliner's thrusters malfunctioned.

NASA didn't provide any information on Boeing's spacecraft, which had leaked helium and faced propulsion issues while docking at the ISS on June 6.

Washington Post

The space agency is mulling whether to send the Starliner capsule back to Earth empty and fly back the astronauts on SpaceX's next flight in February 2025.

NDTV.com

NASA chief astronaut Joe Acaba said that Wilmore and Williams knew it was a test flight and that the mission "might not be perfect."

CBS #4291

NASA may decide next week if Boeing's Starliner capsule can bring back astronauts Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams from the International Space Station (ISS).

New York Times #1003

Ken Bowersox, associate administrator for the space ops mission directorate, said Wednesday that NASA has "time available" and wants to "use that time wisely.”

Al Jazeera #2756

Wilmore and Williams, who took off on June 5 for an 8-day stay at ISS, have been stranded there for over two months since Starliner’s thrusters malfunctioned.

Spacedaily

NASA didn't provide any information on Boeing's spacecraft which had leaked helium and faced propulsion issues while docking at the ISS on June 6.

Washington Post #

The alternative before NASA now is to send the capsule back to Earth empty and make the astronauts wait on the ISS for  SpaceX’s next flight in February 2025.

NASA chief astronaut Joe Acaba has reportedly said Wilmore and Williams will do what we ask them to do." He said the duo "knew this mission might not be perfect.”

NASA is facing a serious crisis with the Boeing Starliner, a spacecraft plagued by numerous malfunctions. Combined with SpaceX's recent Falcon 9 failures, it has badly dented NASA's reputation. With limited alternatives and no quick fixes in sight, NASA must navigate a precarious situation that could jeopardize its long-term access to low Earth orbit.

The Hill

4782710 Starliner Space Station Mission

NASA Starliner crisis is not as dire as it is made out to be. The astronauts are safe abord ISS, with ample supplies and work to do. NASA has backup plans, including using SpaceX’s Dragon for their return, if necessary. While Starliner’s issues are concerning, NASA’s dual-provider strategy ensures that missions can continue, even with setbacks.

Associated Press

Associated Press #7025

Could 2 NASA astronauts be stuck at the space station until next year? Here’s what to know

There is a 50% chance NASA's SLS will first launch a person to the Moon by September 2028, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

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Date NASA SLS Next Lands Person On Moon

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Stranded Astronauts: NASA to Decide on Return by Next Week

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NASA faces a serious crisis with the Boeing Starliner, a spacecraft plagued by numerous malfunctions. Combined with SpaceX's recent Falcon 9 failures, it has badly dented NASA's reputation. With limited alternatives and no quick fixes, NASA must navigate a precarious situation that could jeopardize its long-term access to low Earth orbit.

The NASA Starliner crisis isn't as dire as it's made out to be. The astronauts are safe aboard the ISS, with ample supplies and work to do. NASA has backup plans, including using SpaceX's Dragon for their return if necessary. While Starliner's issues are concerning, NASA's dual-provider strategy ensures that missions can continue despite setbacks.

There's a 50% chance that NASA's SLS will first launch a person to the moon in September 2028, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

NASA To Decide on Stranded Astronauts' Return by Next Week

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Stranded Astronauts: NASA toTo Decide on Stranded Astronauts' Return by Next Week

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