NASA announced that if Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft remains unsafe, astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who are currently aboard the ISS, could return to Earth on SpaceX’s Crew Dragon in February 2025, Reuters reports.
The initial mission, which was supposed to last about eight days, has been prolonged due to issues with Starliner’s propulsion system, including thruster failures and helium leaks, which have raised concerns about the spacecraft’s safe return capability. Boeing is working on solutions to address the issues, but recent test data have intensified NASA’s scrutiny.
NASA is in discussions with SpaceX to leave two seats empty on an upcoming Crew Dragon launch for Wilmore and Williams as a backup plan. The decision is pending further evaluation, with NASA expected to decide next week. This potential switch would be a significant setback for Boeing, which has invested $1.6 billion into Starliner development since 2016.
