NASA Confronts Boeing Tensions, Turns to SpaceX for Astronaut Rescue

NASA acknowledged on Wednesday that meetings with Boeing executives regarding the rescue of two astronauts stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) involved “tension,” but refuted claims of shouting matches. The US space agency is turning to SpaceX to bring the astronauts home due to safety issues with Boeing’s Starliner capsule, which has faced thruster malfunctions and helium leaks.

Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams launched in June with the expectation of a weeklong stay aboard the ISS. However, their return has been delayed until February 2025, when the SpaceX Crew-9 mission is scheduled to return. NASA’s decision to enlist SpaceX for the rescue mission stems from concerns over the safety of Boeing’s Starliner capsule.

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Boeing had publicly expressed confidence in its spacecraft, but the absence of Boeing executives from recent NASA press briefings fueled speculation about a possible rift between the two organizations. Reports from the New York Post suggested that meetings between NASA and Boeing had devolved into heated arguments.

Steve Stich, program manager for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, addressed these claims, emphasizing that while there was tension, the discussions remained professional. “Anytime you’re in a meeting of this magnitude, where critical decisions are being made, there is some tension in the room,” Stich said. He explained that Boeing’s team had confidence in their model predicting thruster degradation, but NASA’s team had concerns about the uncertainties in the model. “I wouldn’t say it was a yelling, screaming kind of meeting,” Stich clarified. “It was a tense technical discussion with both sides intently reviewing the data.”

Despite their extended stay on the ISS, Wilmore and Williams are in good spirits and remain in contact with their families. NASA officials reported that the astronauts are no longer relying on borrowed clothing, having received better-fitting suits during a recent resupply mission.

The Starliner capsule is scheduled to depart the ISS on Friday evening US Eastern Time. Following its undocking, the spacecraft will perform a “breakout burn” using its thrusters to ensure it safely clears the ISS before heading toward Earth. The capsule will then make a parachute and airbag-assisted landing in the western United States early on Saturday morning.

Related: NASA Reshuffles Crew-9, Plans Starliner Return in 2025

NASA determined that if the Starliner had been crewed, it would have flown closer to the ISS to capture exterior views. However, the agency deemed the risk of collision too high without astronauts aboard to manually pilot the spacecraft if necessary.

This development marks a significant moment in the ongoing partnership between NASA and Boeing, highlighting the challenges and complexities involved in ensuring the safety of astronauts and spacecraft. NASA’s decision to enlist SpaceX for the rescue underscores the agency’s commitment to addressing safety concerns and ensuring the successful return of its astronauts.

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