Nasa makes room on SpaceX trip to return astronauts stuck in orbit

30 August 2024 , 18:59

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A composite image showing the astronaut Nick Hague, left, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. Photograph: Claire O’Shea/Nasa

Two astronauts at International Space Station will board SpaceX rocket in September instead of Boeing Starliner

Nasa on Friday cut two astronauts from the next crew to make room on the return trip for the two stuck on the International Space Station.

Nasa’s Nick Hague and the Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov will launch in September onboard a SpaceX rocket for the orbiting laboratory. The duo will return with Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore in February. Nasa decided it was too risky for Williams and Wilmore to fly home in their Boeing Starliner capsule, marred by thruster troubles and helium leaks. 

Bumped from the SpaceX flight: the Nasa astronauts Zena Cardman and Stephanie Wilson. Nasa said they could fly on future missions.

The space agency said it took into account spaceflight experience and other factors in making the decision.

After the shuttles retired, the US relied on Russia to ferry crews to the space station until SpaceX began taking astronauts in 2020. The two countries have continued to trade seats. Next month, Nasa’s Don Pettit will be launching to the space station while Nasa’s Tracy Dyson will be returning to Earth on Russian capsules.

Nasa turned to private businesses a decade ago, wanting two competing US companies ferrying astronauts in the post-shuttle era.

Williams and Wilmore were Boeing’s first crew, arriving at the space station in June for what was supposed to be a week-long stay. Their capsule will return empty as early as next Friday, aiming for a touchdown in the New Mexico desert.

Grace Cooper