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On August 24th local time, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced the final decision that day. Due to concerns about the safety of Boeing's "Starliner", the two American astronauts stranded on the International Space Station will change to the "Dragon" spacecraft of the US SpaceX company to return to Earth, regularly in February next year. The original 8-day space journey of the two will be extended to at least 8 months.

Astronauts Butch Wilmore, left, and Suni Williams inspect safety hardware aboard the International Space Station.

American astronauts Wilmore and Williams were launched on June 5 on the first manned test flight of Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, and arrived at the International Space Station on June 6. Due to problems such as thruster failure and helium leak, the return time has been repeatedly delayed. The Starliner was originally scheduled to separate from the space station and return to Earth on June 14, but because Boeing has been slow to repair the spacecraft failure, the two astronauts have been on the International Space Station for about 80 days.

As for the "Starliner", which previously encountered problems such as thruster failure and helium leakage when carrying two astronauts to space, it is expected to return to Earth without people on board in early September this year. Reuters said this means that NASA and Boeing have abandoned the core test goal of allowing astronauts to control the spacecraft's return.

It is reported that SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft was originally prepared for the Crew-9 mission to be carried out in September. It was originally planned to carry four astronauts on launch. Now it will be modified according to the needs of the Starliner astronauts. Only two people will be sent to make room, and the cargo will also be reconfigured to carry more cargo, personal belongings and Dragon spacecraft-specific spacesuits for the Starliner duo.

According to Reuters on the 24th, several senior NASA officials and Boeing representatives made the above decision at a meeting in Houston that morning. Ken Bowersox, NASA's deputy administrator for space operations, said that NASA officials voted unanimously in favor of letting the Dragon spacecraft bring astronauts back to Earth. Boeing voted in favor of the Starliner, arguing that its product is safe.

Boeing issued a statement that day saying: "We will continue to focus on the safety of astronauts and spacecraft. We are carrying out the mission in accordance with NASA's decision and we are preparing for the spacecraft to return empty."

Beijing Business Daily Comprehensive Report