Why Two Astronauts Are Stuck in Space

Nearly two months after their launch and almost 50 days beyond their initial return date, two astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) are finally nearing their journey back to Earth. Their prolonged stay, caused by issues with their Boeing Starliner spacecraft, has raised fresh concerns about Boeing's technological and engineering capabilities amidst several major scandals.

The two astronauts, Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams, have been at the ISS longer than planned. Despite media reports suggesting they were "stranded," NASA and Boeing maintain that the astronauts have sufficient oxygen and supplies and could use other spacecraft docked at the ISS for an emergency return.

The mission was designed as a test flight for the Starliner, and both Boeing and NASA have emphasized the value of diagnosing and addressing the spacecraft’s issues—multiple helium leaks and malfunctioning thrusters—while in space.

“We don’t understand the issues enough to fix them permanently, and the only way that we can do that is take the time in this unique environment and get more data, run more tests,” said Mark Nappi, vice president and program manager of Boeing’s commercial crew program, during a June press conference.

On Saturday, NASA and Boeing engineers tested 27 of the spacecraft’s 28 thrusters, crucial for its propulsion. By Tuesday, the agencies announced that the tested thrusters were performing well enough for the Starliner to return to Earth, pending further data analysis and scheduling.

However, Boeing’s space program remains troubled, with no clear indication that it will meet its mission goals. The company's initial contract with the US government has faced numerous setbacks.

How the Boeing Starliner’s Test Mission Expanded from 10 Days to 55 and Counting

NASA and Boeing initially planned for the Starliner to regularly shuttle astronauts to and from the ISS by this year. However, the spacecraft encountered problems before even leaving the ground. Its initial launch date on May 6 was delayed due to a faulty pressure regulation valve in the liquid oxygen tank, followed by a helium leak in the service module that postponed the new May 25 launch date.

Despite these manageable issues, three additional helium leaks and problems with five of the Starliner’s 28 thrusters arose after docking at the ISS on June 6. These complications delayed docking until ground engineers could reposition the spacecraft safely.

After extensive testing both on the ground and in space, the thrusters now seem operational, which is crucial for the astronauts' return journey. The helium leaks also appear to have stabilized, but no return date has been set.

“This vehicle is not operating as intended, so caution is necessary,” Laura Forczyk, executive director of the space consulting group Astralytical, told NPR.

The joint venture between Boeing and NASA, initiated in 2014, has experienced three problematic launches. The 2019 test flight was cut short due to a software issue, and the 2022 flight, though successful, encountered several technical problems.

Meanwhile, Elon Musk’s SpaceX has conducted several successful missions since 2020, with its Dragon spacecraft available as a backup return vehicle for Wilmore and Williams if further issues arise with the Starliner.

Boeing’s Broader Troubles

Boeing’s space challenges are part of wider issues plaguing the company, known primarily as a commercial aircraft and defense manufacturer. The company has faced significant scrutiny due to multiple failures of its 737 Max aircraft.

In January, a door plug flew open on an Alaska Airlines flight, and deadly crashes in 2018 and 2019 highlighted severe safety lapses. Boeing faces lawsuits and has entered into a plea agreement with the Justice Department, involving fines and restitution to victims' families.

The company’s focus on shareholder returns over solid engineering has been criticized, with systemic problems affecting both its space program and commercial aircraft operations. Whether Boeing can address these issues and change its operations remains to be seen.