NASA Says Boeing Starliner Astronauts will Fly Home on SpaceX in February 2025

NASA regarding the Boeing Starliner astronauts' return home aboard SpaceX spacecraft in February 2025 underscores the evolving dynamics of space exploration and commercial partnerships. This decision reflects a pragmatic approach to ensuring crew safety and mission success, particularly given the delays associated with Boeing's Starliner program. The collaboration between NASA and SpaceX highlights a significant shift in how space agencies are leveraging private industry capabilities to enhance their operational efficiency and reliability.

Crew Dragon spacecraft, NASA aims to mitigate risks associated with potential delays or technical failures in Boeing’s Starliner development. The choice to employ an alternative means of transport exemplifies strategic risk management, demonstrating that flexibility is paramount in contemporary space missions. Furthermore, this partnership illustrates how public-private collaborations can facilitate advancements in technology while maintaining rigorous safety standards.

NASA will host a media teleconference at 12:30 p.m. EDT, Wednesday, Aug. 7, to discuss ongoing International Space Station operations, including the agency’s Boeing Crew Flight Test and NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission.  

Audio of the briefing will stream live on NASA’s website.

Agency participants include:

Ken Bowersox, associate administrator, Space Operations Mission Directorate

Steve Stich, manager, Commercial Crew Program

Dana Weigel, manager, International Space Station Program

NASA said on Wednesday that it is looking into every way to get its astronauts back home. One idea is to have astronauts come back in 2025, and they're thinking about using Elon Musk-owned SpaceX, which is a rival to Boeing.

Thruster failures during Starliner's initial approach to the ISS in June and several leaks of helium - used to pressurize those thrusters - have set Boeing off on a testing campaign to understand the cause and propose fixes to NASA, which has the final say. Recent results have unearthed new information, causing greater alarm about a safe return.

The latest test data have stirred disagreements and debate within NASA about whether to accept the risk of a Starliner return to Earth, or make the call to use Crew Dragon instead.

For more than two decades, people have lived and worked continuously aboard the International Space Station, advancing scientific knowledge, demonstrating new technologies, and making research breakthroughs not possible on Earth. The station is a critical testbed for NASA to understand and overcome the challenges of long-duration spaceflight and to expand commercial opportunities in low Earth orbit. As commercial companies focus on providing human space transportation services and destinations as part of a robust low Earth orbit economy, NASA’s Artemis campaign is underway at the Moon, where the agency is preparing for future human exploration of Mars.

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Sarah H

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