NASA explained how astronauts stuck on orbit will return aboard the Boeing Starliner
NASA representatives shared at a special briefing that two astronauts, who were delivered to the International Space Station in June aboard the Boeing Starliner spacecraft, are likely to return on SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft in February 2025. This possibility is being considered if the Starliner's return to Earth is still deemed unsafe.
Tests showed that four of Starliner's engines failed due to overheating and automatic shutdown, and other engines, when restarted during tests, were weaker than planned due to fuel limitations. Ground tests conducted in late July at the White Sands rocket test site in New Mexico revealed that engine overheating led to the deformation of Teflon seals, which caused fuel lines to clog, weakening the engines' thrust.
NASA explained how astronauts stuck on orbit will return aboard the Boeing Starliner
NASA representatives shared at a special briefing that two astronauts, who were delivered to the International Space Station in June aboard the Boeing Starliner spacecraft, are likely to return on SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft in February 2025. This possibility is being considered if the Starliner's return to Earth is still deemed unsafe.
Tests showed that four of Starliner's engines failed due to overheating and automatic shutdown, and other engines, when restarted during tests, were weaker than planned due to fuel limitations. Ground tests conducted in late July at the White Sands rocket test site in New Mexico revealed that engine overheating led to the deformation of Teflon seals, which caused fuel lines to clog, weakening the engines' thrust. 🚀