Boeing spacesuits incompatible with SpaceX, NASA faces new problems rescuing stranded astronauts – Firstpost

NASA is facing a tricky situation as it must figure out how to safely return astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore from the International Space Station (ISS) to Earth. The pair have been stuck there since early June, and their planned flight home, Boeing's Starliner, has been hit by a series of technical glitches that have everyone worried.

Williams and Wilmore were originally scheduled to return on the Starliner, but given the ongoing problems with the spacecraft, NASA is now considering other options. Boeing and NASA insist the Starliner is still operational in an emergency, even with the risk of some engines failing. But given the potential dangers, NASA is taking no chances.

One alternative on the table is using SpaceX's Crew Dragon, which is currently docked to the ISS. But that idea comes with its own problems. First of all, the spacesuits Williams and Wilmore have for the Starliner are not compatible with the Crew Dragon. That means that if they were to return on the SpaceX capsule, they would have to do so without a spacesuit – which NASA confirmed in a recent phone call. That's a bitter pill to swallow, because those suits are designed to protect the astronauts in case something goes wrong during the return trip.

Spacesuits used during launch and reentry, called intravehicular suits (IVA), are crucial. They aren't just for decoration; they protect against sudden loss of cabin pressure and help regulate temperature. Without them, the astronauts would be much more vulnerable if something went wrong on the way down.

The reason for this suit incompatibility dates back to NASA's Commercial Crew Program, which funded the development of both the Starliner and Crew Dragon. Unlike previous space programs where NASA was involved in every detail, this program gave Boeing and SpaceX more freedom to design their spacecraft as long as they met NASA's comprehensive requirements and safety standards. But it also meant that making sure the two companies' systems worked together – like spacesuits that fit different spacecraft – was not a priority.

To complicate matters further, the Crew Dragon currently on the ISS already carries four crew members. Although it was originally designed to carry seven, it has been redesigned to carry only four. Even if NASA could procure compatible suits for Williams and Wilmore, the Crew Dragon does not have the necessary equipment to support them.

Fortunately, there is a backup plan. NASA is looking at the upcoming Crew-9 mission, which is scheduled to launch in February and could launch with just two crew members, leaving room for Williams and Wilmore. This would allow NASA to send backup suits on the mission, making this a much safer and less complicated solution.

But all of this underscores the ongoing problems with Boeing's Starliner. After billions of dollars were invested in developing the capsule, returning astronauts in a SpaceX spacecraft would be a significant setback for Boeing and raise further questions about the future of the Starliner program.

As NASA continues to consider its options, this situation is a reminder of how complicated and risky space travel can be, especially when multiple private companies are involved. The decisions made in the next few weeks will be critical not only for the safe return of astronauts, but also for the future of commercial space travel.