The SpaceX Dragon capsule approaches the ISS (Photograph: AP)
After months of uncertainty, two astronauts stuck on board the International Space Station (ISS) since June has finally received its transport that will bring them home next year, thanks to the arrival of a SpaceX capsule on Sunday, according to the Related Press.
SpaceX launched the rescue mission Saturday, carrying two astronauts and leaving two empty seats for Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams.The Capsule Dragon successfully docked with the ISS as the spacecraft passed 265 miles (426 kilometers) above Botswana.
The transport change came after NASA removed Wilmore and Williams from their initial return flight on board. BoeingIt is Starliner due to security measures. Problems with the Starliner, particularly propellant failures and helium leaks, emerged during its first crewed test flight, forcing NASA to deem it too risky for the astronauts’ return trip. The Starliner returned to Earth empty earlier this month.
Wilmore and Williams, whose mission was only supposed to last a week, will now spend more than eight months in space. Their new return capsule, the Dragon, will remain docked with the ISS until February.
The arrival of two new astronauts on Sunday also means that the crew of four currently on board since March will soon return to Earth. Their departure was delayed by a month due to problems with the Boeing Starliner.
Despite the Starliner’s setbacks, NASA has not entirely ruled out Boeing. “We’re a long way from saying, ‘Hey, we’re delisting Boeing,'” said Jim Free, NASA’s associate administrator. Inspections of the Starliner are ongoing, and post-flight data reviews are already underway.
Although the launch went well, SpaceX encountered a minor problem when the rocket’s upper stage missed its target print zone in the Pacific due to engine problems. As a result, SpaceX suspended further Falcon launches until the trigger was identified.
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