After months of uncertainty, two astronauts who have been stranded aboard the International Space Station (ISS) since June have finally received a lifeline in the form of a SpaceX capsule that arrived on Sunday. This capsule will serve as their ride home next year, offering relief after an extended mission that was only supposed to last a week, according to the Associated Press.ISS SpaceX capsule provides NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams with a new means of transportation home in 2019
The Rescue Mission
SpaceX launched the mission on Saturday, sending two astronauts to the ISS while leaving two empty seats for Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, the astronauts in need of transport. The Dragon capsule successfully docked with the station as it passed 265 miles (426 kilometers) above Botswana, ensuring their future return journey.
Change of Plans
Initially, Wilmore and Williams were slated to return to Earth aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. However, due to safety concerns raised during Starliner’s first crewed test flight—specifically issues with thruster failures and helium leaks—NASA decided to pull them from that mission. The Starliner, deemed too risky for their journey home, had to return to Earth earlier this month without a crew.
A Lengthened Stay
What was meant to be a short mission for the astronauts has now turned into a much longer one. Wilmore and Williams, who were expected to be in space for just a week, will now spend over eight months aboard the ISS. Their new return vehicle, the Dragon capsule, will remain docked at the station until their scheduled return in February.
New Arrivals
The arrival of two new astronauts on Sunday also signals the upcoming return of the four-person crew currently stationed at the ISS since March. Their departure had been postponed for a month due to ongoing complications with Boeing’s Starliner, which affected the mission schedule.
NASA’s Position on Boeing
Despite the setbacks with Boeing’s spacecraft, NASA is not ready to abandon the company. Jim Free, NASA’s associate administrator, expressed that they are far from giving up on Boeing. Inspections of the Starliner are ongoing, and reviews of the post-flight data are already in progress.
SpaceX’s Minor Setback
While the SpaceX rescue mission largely went as planned, there was a minor issue after the launch. The upper stage of the rocket missed its intended impact zone in the Pacific Ocean due to engine problems. As a precaution, SpaceX has paused further Falcon rocket launches until the cause of the issue is thoroughly investigated.
This mission not only showcases SpaceX’s growing role in space exploration but also underscores the ongoing challenges NASA faces with Boeing’s Starliner, as they work to ensure the safe return of their astronauts.