As a seasoned astronaut, Dana Weigel, NASA’s manager of the International Space Station (ISS), is no stranger to the rigors and challenges that space travel presents. With a career spanning decades, she has seen it all – from the thrill of launching into the cosmos to the quiet solitude of life aboard the ISS.
Is there a nightmare unfolding 250 miles above Earth?
NASA has clarified that astronauts Sunita “Suni” Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore are not marooned or abandoned in space, contrary to speculation. Initially planned for an eight-day mission, their stay has extended to three months so far.
Boeing, who built the Starliner spacecraft that Williams (age 58) and Wilmore (age 61) successfully navigated for 26 hours to the International Space Station on June 6, initially had faith that these astronauts could return to Earth using the same method.
However, NASA has admitted that their planned return may extend into 2025. Upon their eventual return, it is suggested that they might not be traveling on the Starliner spacecraft.
Ken Bowersox, NASA’s associate administrator for space operations, stated during a press conference on August 7th that it is understood we will eventually return Butch and Suni home at some point.
Included in the statement by Steve Stich, the manager of NASA’s commercial crew program, is the information that our primary choice is to bring back Butch and Suni aboard Starliner. Yet, we have meticulously planned alternative options to ensure we maintain flexibility in our approach.
One proposal for reporters mentioned Williams and Wilmore staying airborne until February next year, at which point they could return home on SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft. Originally scheduled to travel to the International Space Station with a crew of four astronauts, the SpaceX mission would instead carry only two in this specific scenario.
That mission is scheduled to begin no earlier than Sept. 24.
During this time, please be understanding if we, who are not astrophysicists or experienced astronauts and Navy pilots with backgrounds like Williams (322 days in space) and Wilmore (167 days), find this mission a bit intimidating.
Here are all the details on the Starliner astronauts, how their mission went awry and what comes next:
Who are Starliner astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore?
As a native of Ohio, nurtured in the town of Needham, Massachusetts, I had the privilege to earn my bachelor’s degree in Physical Science from the esteemed U.S. Naval Academy. Furthermore, I expanded my educational journey with a master’s degree in Engineering Management from the Florida Institute of Technology.
As a devoted follower, I’ve racked up more than 3,000 hours in the skies, primarily in helicopters, serving with the Navy. In 1998, I was honored to be chosen for the astronaut program. Prior to my upcoming Starliner mission, I’ve had the privilege of visiting the International Space Station on two occasions, in 2006 and 2012, and have participated in seven space walks.
Notably, during that final space mission, Williams achieved a remarkable feat by being the first astronaut to perform a space triathlon. This involved cycling on a stationary bike, mimicking swimming using a weightlifting machine, and running on a treadmill.
In an episode of NASA’s Houston We Have a Podcast in April, Williams shared that being a pilot wasn’t his initial career goal for the Navy. Originally, he aspired to become a diver. However, after watching Top Gun, he admired Tom Cruise as a jet pilot and decided to attend flight school instead.
Instead she became a helicopter pilot, she noted, “and I loved it from the first time I started.”
In his home state, Wilmore obtained his undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in electrical engineering from Tennessee Technological University and also earned a master’s degree in aviation systems at the University of Tennessee.
A currently serving Navy captain has accumulated over 8,000 hours of experience flying tactical jets. In the year 2000, NASA selected him. During a shuttle mission to the International Space Station in 2009, he served as the orbiter pilot. Later, in 2014, he spent 167 days onboard the Russian Soyuz spacecraft, where he served as station commander for his stay.
In a chat on the NASA podcast, Wilmore shared that contrary to popular belief, his first word wasn’t ‘mom’ or ‘dad’. Instead, it was ‘Why?’, as he had a knack for questioning everything from an early age.
Including what the world looked like from above.
In the end, he mused, “Amazing! Nothing can soar higher or faster than a shuttle. I’m curious, what must that view be like from such great heights?”
Wilmore mentioned that he applied to NASA multiple times throughout the years, getting called for an interview on his third attempt, only to be kindly turned down. However, when NASA looked at him again for the fourth time, it resulted in a positive outcome. He described this period as a significant transformation and expressed that he gained a lot of knowledge during this time.
From my perspective, my daily routine at home is so brimming with activities, courtesy of my amazing spouse, that it’s challenging for me to ponder deeply about the historic implications of the Starliner test flight. However, being chosen to pilot the spacecraft alongside Williams was undeniably a humbling experience.
“Wilmore expressed that it felt almost surreal, like a dream, to participate in the first flight of a spacecraft. He marveled at his own involvement and couldn’t help but wonder why he was chosen among all the others. It’s a profound and humbling experience to reflect on everyone else who could be here, yet for some reason, fate has brought him and Suni to this remarkable place.”
In a delightful twist, Wilmore shared with journalists in May his eagerness for the space meal, particularly the “fantastic” chocolate pudding cake, which he couldn’t wait to savor. On the other hand, Williams expressed his fondness for the “amazing” muffin tops among the space food offerings.
What is the Starliner spacecraft?
As a devoted admirer, I can tell you that unlike the spaceships where Williams and Wilmore honed their cosmic skills – the shuttle and Soyuz – Boeing’s Starliner stands out as a capsule in my eyes.
The years-in-the-launching vessel is 15 feet wide and able to land on solid ground or water.
Williams mentioned during an episode of “Houston We Have a Podcast” that our spacecraft might have only about one tenth of the number of switches compared to the shuttle cockpit. However, he added that the design philosophy and meticulousness in operating the space shuttle can be felt in this new spacecraft as well.
What was the Starliner mission for?
Williams and Wilmore got chosen for the initial manned test voyage of Starliner spacecraft to the space station.
According to Mark Nappi, the program manager for Boeing’s Starline project, the planned eight-day journey encompassed a total of 87 goals.
Nappi explained to the New York Times that there are numerous aspects related to comfort and functionality in the design of flight tests, which he referred to as ergonomic objectives. These include checking the fit and comfort of seats, ensuring the functionality of the suits, and evaluating the appearance and usability of the displays.
As a die-hard space enthusiast, once Starliner touches back down, my mission begins! I’ll dive headfirst into analyzing every bit of data this incredible voyage has gathered. My ultimate goal? To officially greenlight this marvel for yearly journeys, ferrying NASA heroes to the ISS for six-month sojourns in space. The anticipation is killing me!
Following takeoff, Nappi expressed that he was grinning, yet it was a calculated emotion since there are several stages to this mission, and we’ve just finished the initial one.
Additionally, on the NASA podcast, Williams mentioned they would find themselves with a multitude of tasks to attend to upon docking.
She stated, “We aim to demonstrate that this spacecraft can be fully turned off and then restarted again. At the same time, we’re keen on ensuring its role as an ‘secure refuge.’ You see, space stations might face emergencies such as a fire or loss of pressure at some point. Our spacecraft serve as lifeboats in these situations.”
Did Boeing’s Starliner have issues before launch?
According to reports from The New York Times, the Starliner spacecraft experienced several technical issues during its manufacturing process. Among these problems were insufficient software testing, degraded propellant valves, and a critical part of the parachute system that was not as strong as required.
Prior to manned missions, both Boeing-built Starliners experienced software problems and other troubles during their uncrewed test flights, as reported by the Associated Press.
Prior to the scheduled launch on June 5th from Cape Canaveral, a minor helium leak was detected in the piping related to propulsion. However, engineers considered it to be both “steady” and “contained” according to the Associated Press.
During travel to the International Space Station, the spacecraft’s cooling system (known as a sublimator) consumed more water than anticipated, causing it to switch to a radiator system upon reaching orbit. This was reported by The Times, pointing out that this unexpected issue wasn’t expected to impact the mission.
What happened to Starliner on the way to the International Space Station?
As an overly enthusiastic space enthusiast, let me share some intriguing details about the Starliner’s journey to the ISS. Prior to its arrival, the craft experienced four additional helium leaks and a failure of five out of 28 thrusters, as reported by NASA. Helium, being an inert gas, plays a crucial role in propelling the propellants towards these thrusters. Quite the adventure for our spacecraft!
Nevertheless, they managed to dock the spacecraft effectively. According to NASA official Stich, they aced the impromptu test on June 6. “They provided correct responses for every question.”
In April, during a NASA podcast, Williams stated that the team had rehearsed multiple times to prepare for various scenarios. However, their ultimate goal is to have functioning parachutes thrice over, all inflatable airbags deployed, and a gentle descent as the final outcome.
Instead, the planned return flight for Williams and Wilmore was put on hold indefinitely as they carried out numerous tests.
Coincidentally, they forgot their luggage as there wasn’t room to take it due to the need to transport a pump to mend a faulty toilet at their destination. This oversight left them with only enough personal belongings for about eight days, despite the fact that their journey could potentially last eight months.
Can Starliner be fixed?
“We’re not stuck on ISS,” Nappi said at a June 28 news conference. “The crew is not in any danger.”
NASA official Stich said the docked Starliner was “in good shape.”
He emphasized that neither Butch nor Suni are lost in space; instead, our intention remains to bring them back aboard Starliner and safely return them home when it’s appropriate.
On August 2, Boeing announced the numerous tests they had carried out over the past two months since Starliner was attached to the space station. They expressed continued faith in the spacecraft and its capacity to bring crew members back safely.
As a fervent supporter, I am thrilled to share that our team wholeheartedly agreed with NASA’s call for additional tests and investigations during this period. This was an essential step towards ensuring the safety of the spacecraft’s crucial undocking and landing functionalities.
As a lifestyle expert, I’d like to clarify that, following an assessment, Boeing confirmed that 27 out of 28 thrusters are now functioning optimally. Additionally, the propulsion system continues to ensure redundancy for added safety, and the helium levels within it remain stable.
What are the Starliner astronauts doing while in space for months longer than expected?
Approximately two years ago, we chose to ensure that our mission, recognizing it was experimental, had all necessary resources, provisions, and crew training, should they need to stay on the International Space Station for an extended period, regardless of the reason. Dana Weigel, manager of NASA’s International Space Station, made this statement during a press briefing on August 7th.
During their stay on the International Space Station, the astronauts functioned as additional crew members, as mentioned by NASA’s Bowersox. However, they are visitors rather than permanent crew members of Expedition 71, which means they consume and use up more resources such as food, water, and equipment.
He mentioned, “It’s important that we eventually retrieve our team members and restore the usual crew number on the International Space Station, returning to a sense of normalcy.”
During August 6th, a Northrop Grumman supply delivery mission arrived. Inside were essential items that the space station’s residents, lacking personal belongings, likely found useful. The shipment contained approximately 8,200 pounds of equipment, scientific experiments, and provisions.
Bill Spetch, NASA’s International Space Station Program’s Operations Integration Manager, mentioned that they prefer to maintain flexibility, so they have a variety of items including clothing, personal food items, and similar essentials on hand.
Starting from September 24th onwards, SpaceX had planned to transport a crew of four astronauts to the space station using their Crew Dragon spaceship. This mission, known as Crew-9, was scheduled to last between five and six months. (The expedition itself is referred to as Expedition 72.)
To ensure there’s space for Wilmore and Williams on the return flight in February 2025, they might decide to launch with only two astronauts instead. In this case, they would bring along extra weight in the form of heavy metal pieces, known as ballast, to balance out the craft effectively.
If Williams and Wilmore remain on the International Space Station until February, they will become permanent crew members.
According to Weigel, both Butch and Suni have received comprehensive training. They are well-equipped and up-to-date in performing EVAs (spacewalks), handling robotic tasks, and all other necessary duties.
Based on NASA updates, they’ve been occupied with maintaining the station, examining equipment, arranging supplies, testing Starliner, and helping with scientific experiments and technology trials.
Certainly, both individuals were selected initially due to their exceptional professional skills and ability to handle any situation that might arise.
As a lifestyle expert, I firmly believe in the importance of thoroughness and thoughtfulness in every action we take. In my days as a flight instructor, I always emphasized this mindset to my students: Be deliberate and calculated in your decision-making process, and avoid acting recklessly or impulsively. Just like a seasoned cowboy treads with caution in the wild west, so too should we approach our endeavors with care and intention.
And you always have to have a backup plan.
“Williams emphasized that it’s not wise to improvise when you step out; instead, you should have a clear plan for how to return safely.”
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2024-08-13 01:50