Starliner Crew Awaits Return as Crew-10 Mission Prepares for Launch
NASA astronauts Sunita “Suni” Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore are preparing for their return to Earth from the International Space Station (ISS), marking the end of an unexpectedly extended stay aboard the orbital laboratory. Their mission, initially intended to last only a few days, has been prolonged due to technical challenges encountered during the first crewed flight test of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft.
Williams and Wilmore arrived at the ISS in June, tasked with evaluating the Starliner’s performance and docking capabilities. However, a series of issues, including a helium leak affecting the capsule’s thrusters, led to an indefinite extension of their mission. Despite the delays, NASA and Boeing maintain that the astronauts are not "stranded" on the station, emphasizing that the ISS has ample resources to accommodate the crew.
The return of Williams and Wilmore is now contingent upon the arrival of the Crew-10 mission, which is scheduled to launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida as early as March 12. Liftoff is targeted for 7:48 p.m. ET from Launch Complex 39A, with a targeted docking time of approximately 10 a.m. ET on March 13.
The Crew-10 mission will transport NASA astronauts Anne McClain (commander) and Nichole Ayers (pilot), JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Takuya Onishi (mission specialist), and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov (mission specialist) to the ISS. Upon their arrival, a brief handover period will occur between the Crew-10 team and the departing Crew-9 mission, which includes Williams and Wilmore, along with NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. The Crew-9 astronauts are expected to return to Earth around March 19 or 20, pending favorable weather conditions at the splashdown sites off the coast of Florida.
The Starliner’s journey to the ISS was fraught with challenges. The initial launch date of May 6, 2024, was repeatedly postponed due to a series of technical issues, including an oxygen leak and a helium leak from the capsule’s propulsion system. After the delays, Williams and Wilmore finally launched on June 5, marking the Starliner’s first crewed mission, known as the Crew Flight Test. The primary objective of the mission was to assess the spacecraft’s flight and docking capabilities at the space station.
Following its successful docking on June 6, the helium leak developed, affecting the control of the capsule’s thrusters, which are essential for docking and maneuvering. The Starliner has remained docked at the ISS while engineers work to determine the optimal time and method for its return to Earth, which will be conducted remotely.
In preparation for the arrival of the Crew-10 mission, the Starliner will be moved away from its docking port to allow the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule to dock.
Despite the unexpected duration of their mission, Williams and Wilmore have remained actively engaged in research and maintenance activities aboard the ISS. An uncrewed supply ship, which arrived at the space station on Aug. 6, delivered additional clothing and personal items for the astronauts, ensuring their comfort during the extended stay.
The challenges encountered during the Starliner’s Crew Flight Test have prompted NASA to re-evaluate its plans for future missions using the spacecraft. In October, NASA announced that it would not proceed with the first full crew rotation mission with Starliner in the late summer of 2025, citing the need for a more thorough understanding of Boeing’s path to system certification.
“The timing and configuration of Starliner’s next flight will be determined once a better understanding of Boeing’s path to system certification is established,” NASA said in an Oct. 15, 2024, blog post. “This determination will include considerations for incorporating Crew Flight Test lessons learned, approvals of final certification products, and operational readiness.”
NASA is considering various options for achieving system certification for the Starliner, including potential flight opportunities in 2025. The agency is committed to ensuring the safety and reliability of the spacecraft before proceeding with future crewed missions.
The successful launch and docking of the Crew-10 mission will be a significant step toward resuming regular crew rotations on the ISS. The mission will contribute to ongoing scientific research and technological development in space, furthering our understanding of the universe and paving the way for future exploration endeavors. The return of Williams and Wilmore will mark the end of a challenging but ultimately successful mission, providing valuable data and experience for the future of human spaceflight. The Crew Flight Test has provided crucial insights into the Starliner’s capabilities and limitations, allowing engineers to refine the spacecraft’s design and operations. The lessons learned from this mission will be instrumental in ensuring the safety and success of future Starliner flights.
