Starliner crew faces new problems, this time related to spacesuits

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams have been stuck in space for weeks. The space agency is working to bring them back to Earth safely. The Starliner has had technical problems since it launched the two into low Earth orbit in June.

Now another problem has arisen, this time with their spacesuits. If there is a problem on the International Space Station (ISS) at any point in the next six weeks, Williams and Wilmore will no longer be able to stay safe in their spacesuits during their escape.

NASA said at a press conference on August 14 that the spacesuits they wore on the Boeing Starliner were not compatible with other spacecraft. The space agency is currently trying to decide whether the astronauts should return aboard the Starliner or a SpaceX vehicle.

If Starliner is taken off the schedule due to technical issues, NASA will have to move forward with its contingency plan – the SpaceX Dragon capsule of the Crew-8 mission. The spacecraft is in space and officials have said it is part of the plan in case Starliner is deemed unsuitable to bring the astronauts back.

However, there is a problem with the SpaceX suits: there are no replacement suits available.

They are expected to reach the ISS no earlier than September 24, when Crew-9's Dragon launches with two empty seats and two additional spacesuits.

Starliner is also intended to fly to Earth unmanned. So if Starliner leaves the ISS during this period and Dragon has not yet reached space, Williams and Wilmore would have to enter the Dragon 8 capsule without the appropriate spacesuits in an emergency.

The scenario depends entirely on NASA's final decision – whether to return the Starliner unmanned or with astronauts. A decision is expected by the end of this month.

There are two types of spacesuits: extravehicular and intravehicular. The former are used for repairs outside the station, while the latter are worn during launches, aborts or landings on Earth.

Starliner launched into space on June 5 and the astronauts were scheduled to stay on the ISS for only eight days.