NASA Says No Plans to Use SpaceX to Rescue Stranded Astronauts
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NASA has stated that it currently has no plans to use SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft to rescue two astronauts stranded on the International Space Station (ISS). The astronauts, Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, are currently stuck on the ISS due to issues with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft. While a SpaceX rescue mission has not been discussed, NASA official Steve Stich mentioned that they have considered the possibility in case the situation worsens. SpaceX's Dragon capsule is already docked at the ISS, but there are no plans to use it for the rescue mission at this time. Boeing's Starliner has experienced several issues, including helium leaks and thruster malfunctions, which have delayed the return of the astronauts. If SpaceX were to rescue the astronauts, it would be a blow to Boeing, which is competing with SpaceX in the commercial crewed spacecraft market. Boeing has faced criticism from Elon Musk, who has accused the company of having too many non-technical managers. The issues with Starliner add to Boeing's recent challenges, including scrutiny over its safety culture and legal troubles related to the 737 Max crashes. NASA and Boeing have declared Starliner safe and are working to analyze data before committing to the final undock and return of the astronauts.

#Nasa #Spacex #Boeing #InternationalSpaceStation #Astronauts #DragonSpacecraft #StarlinerSpacecraft

https://www.businessinsider.com/nasa-no-plans-to-use-spacex-dragon-rescue-stranded-astronauts-2024-7