https://www.reuters.com/science/nasa-sa ... 024-08-07/
WASHINGTON, Aug 7 (Reuters) - NASA officials said on Wednesday the two astronauts delivered to the International Space Station in June by Boeing's (BA.N), opens new tab Starliner could return on SpaceX's Crew Dragon in February 2025 if Starliner is still deemed unsafe to return to Earth.
Feel for the crew... yesterday was a NASA press brief on the matter, Boeing was not present.
Thruster failures during Starliner's initial approach to the ISS in June and several leaks of helium - used to pressurize those thrusters - have set Boeing off on a testing campaign to understand the cause and propose fixes to NASA, which has the final say. Recent results have unearthed new information, causing greater alarm about a safe return.
Seems like all maneuvering thrusters were degraded in some way, some shutting down. And from elsewhere even if they do return on the Starliner, it will be under computer control. Apparently the crew taking manual control saved the day on ascend, but also caused further overheat of the thrusters. Which of course is a serious flaw, combined with the fall-out, many doubt if the Starliner will recover.
Starliner has been docked to the ISS for 63 of the maximum 90 days it can stay, and it is parked at the same port that Crew Dragon will have to use to deliver the upcoming astronaut crew.
- which can be delayed of course, probably...
"We didn't poll in a way that led to a conclusion," Commercial Crew Program chief Steve Stich said.
- boardroom talk for "We disagreed".