‘Not stranded in space’: how Nasa lost control of Boeing Starliner narrative
Technical issues and poor comms led many to believe two astronauts are lost in space, but a return date is imminent
Technical issues and a breakdown in communication led many to believe that two astronauts were lost in space, stranded indefinitely like the fictional character, Matt Damon, in *The Martian*. However, these fears are unfounded as both NASA and Boeing have recently announced that a return date for the Starliner capsule and astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore is imminent.
The mission, originally expected to last only 8-10 days, has encountered several technical challenges, including glitchy thrusters and persistent helium leaks. Despite these issues, engineers have worked diligently to address them, and the crew has never been in any danger. The successful resolution of these issues will provide valuable insights for future spaceflights.
While the public relations handling of the mission may have contributed to a sense of unease, with scarce media briefings and an initially announced end date, the experts agree that the focus should remain on the successful resolution of technical problems encountered during this test flight. This perspective is shared by retired NASA astronaut Mike Massimino, who emphasizes that delays are common in experimental spaceflights and that the safe return of the crew and capsule is the top priority.
In the end, the lessons learned from this mission will contribute to the advancement of spaceflight, and the current challenges will likely become a quiet footnote in the history of space exploration. The safe return of the Starliner capsule and its crew will be a testament to the resilience and problem-solving capabilities of the teams at NASA and Boeing.
The mission, originally expected to last only 8-10 days, has encountered several technical challenges, including glitchy thrusters and persistent helium leaks. Despite these issues, engineers have worked diligently to address them, and the crew has never been in any danger. The successful resolution of these issues will provide valuable insights for future spaceflights.
While the public relations handling of the mission may have contributed to a sense of unease, with scarce media briefings and an initially announced end date, the experts agree that the focus should remain on the successful resolution of technical problems encountered during this test flight. This perspective is shared by retired NASA astronaut Mike Massimino, who emphasizes that delays are common in experimental spaceflights and that the safe return of the crew and capsule is the top priority.
In the end, the lessons learned from this mission will contribute to the advancement of spaceflight, and the current challenges will likely become a quiet footnote in the history of space exploration. The safe return of the Starliner capsule and its crew will be a testament to the resilience and problem-solving capabilities of the teams at NASA and Boeing.