
NASA is preparing contingency plans for Boeing's Starliner astronauts to potentially return from the International Space Station in February 2025. The announcement yesterday is the latest setback for Boeing over the capsule's inaugural crewed mission to space.
The Starliner took off June 5, carrying veteran NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams after a series of delays for what was intended to be a nine-day mission. That mission has since extended past two months, with the capsule held for further testing amid concerns of helium leaks and thruster control. NASA’s latest announcement reportedly comes amid internal dissent with Boeing, which maintains its capsule is safe to fly.
NASA's contingency plans, not finalized, would see Wilmore and Williams returning via a capsule from Boeing competitor, SpaceX. The news is the latest blow to Boeing, reeling from a series of issues with its commercial planes.
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