The two astronauts sent to the International Space Station in early June will have to wait until February 2024 to be repatriated by SpaceX. NASA acknowledged on Wednesday, September 4, the existence of “tensions” with Boeing executives.
NASA acknowledged on Wednesday, September 4, the existence of “tensions” during recent meetings with Boeing executives over how to bring back two astronauts stuck aboard the International Space Station (ISS) due to failures of the American aeronautical giant’s Starliner capsule.
From eight days to eight months: How two astronauts got stuck in space
The US space agency has, however, denied press reports that shouting punctuated these meetings. NASA had announced at the end of August that it was now Boeing’s competitor, SpaceX, that would be responsible for bringing Butch Wilmore and Sunni Williams back to Earth.
The serial difficulties encountered on the Starliner led to this heavy decision not to use this ship for the return mission. A snub for Boeing, already bogged down by repeated setbacks on its airliners.
The two astronauts were supposed to spend eight days in space, but will ultimately stay there for at least eight months, until February 2025 and SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission. Boeing has publicly stated on several occasions that it is confident in the safety of its spacecraft.
“Tense technical discussions”
The absence of group leaders from recent NASA press conferences had fuelled speculation that there were differences with the space agency.
According to the New York Post, citing sources familiar with the matter, recent meetings between senior officials from both sides have often ended in shouting matches.
NASA’s commercial human spaceflight program manager, Steve Stich, said he wouldn’t describe the meetings as heated, but that they included “tense technical discussions.” “Any time you’re in a meeting of this magnitude, where there’s this kind of decision (to be made), there’s some level of tension in the room,” he said.
According to him, despite the certainty displayed by Boeing on their projections, the NASA team “was not comfortable” to proceed, “because of the uncertainty around the model”.
Starliner is scheduled to detach from the ISS shortly after 10 p.m. Friday before beginning its uncrewed descent and landing in the western United States Saturday morning.
Ten years ago, NASA ordered a new ship from Boeing and SpaceX each to transport its astronauts to the ISS. With two vehicles, it wants to not be left without a solution in the event of a problem with one or the other. But Elon Musk’s company has largely beaten Boeing and has been acting alone as the American space taxi for four years now.
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