NASA’s Change of Plans Amid Weather Concerns
NASA’s astronauts who initially traveled aboard the Boeing Starliner are now set to return to Earth earlier than planned. Due to weather conditions off the Florida coast, the agency, in collaboration with SpaceX, has adjusted the return schedule for Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who will now join the Crew-9 team aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule for their return journey.
The Crew-9 members, which include NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, were originally scheduled to undock from the International Space Station (ISS) on Wednesday. However, NASA decided to bring the return date forward to early Tuesday morning, ensuring safer landing conditions. The four astronauts are expected to make a water landing off Florida’s coast on Tuesday evening.
The Starliner Mission: A Rocky Road to Return
Wilmore and Williams’ mission aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft began in June, marking its first crewed flight. However, the mission was met with numerous technical challenges, leading to the spacecraft’s return to Earth in September—without its crew. NASA deemed the situation too risky for human transport, forcing Wilmore and Williams to remain aboard the ISS, awaiting a return opportunity with SpaceX Crew-9.
Their prolonged stay finally neared its end with the arrival of Crew-10, the team tasked with replacing Crew-9 aboard the ISS. On Saturday, Crew-10 successfully docked at the space station after launching from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule the previous night. With the handover complete, the returning astronauts are set to board SpaceX Dragon Endurance and embark on their long-awaited journey home.
When and How to Watch the Return
NASA has scheduled a live broadcast of the Crew-9 undocking and landing via NASA+, its dedicated streaming service. The coverage will start at 12:45 a.m. EST on Tuesday, providing a real-time feed of the undocking process. The spacecraft will then initiate its deorbit burn in the afternoon, with a planned splashdown at 5:57 p.m. EST.
Following the return, NASA officials will hold a press conference at 7:30 p.m., discussing the mission and the astronauts’ experiences. However, Wilmore and Williams are unlikely to participate immediately after their return, as they will undergo post-flight assessments.
Crew-10’s Role and Future ISS Operations
With Crew-9’s departure, the newly arrived Crew-10 team will assume duties aboard the ISS. Led by NASA astronaut Anne McClain, the team also includes NASA pilot Nichole Ayers, Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi (JAXA), and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov. Their six-month mission involves conducting various scientific experiments and maintaining station operations as part of Expedition 73.
The Crew-10 team launched aboard Dragon Endurance, a previously flown SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, and autonomously navigated to the ISS following stage separation from a Falcon 9 rocket. Their arrival set the stage for the smooth transition and eventual departure of Crew-9, closing the chapter on an unexpected Starliner saga that kept Wilmore and Williams in orbit longer than anticipated.
The Future of Boeing’s Starliner Program
The setbacks faced by Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft highlight ongoing challenges within NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, which contracts both Boeing and SpaceX for astronaut transport. While SpaceX’s Dragon continues to operate successfully, Starliner has yet to prove itself as a reliable transport vehicle for NASA missions. The spacecraft must undergo further testing and validation before it can become a fully operational part of NASA’s astronaut transport strategy.
With Wilmore and Williams finally returning home, attention will shift to NASA and Boeing’s next steps—whether Starliner can address its technical issues and become the second viable crew transport option for NASA, or if SpaceX will continue to dominate commercial crewed spaceflight.
