Boeing space suits not compatible with SpaceX, Nasa facing fresh trouble in rescuing stranded astronauts

NASA is dealing with a tricky situation as it figures out how to safely bring astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore back to Earth from the International Space Station (ISS). The two have been stuck up there since early June, and their planned ride home, Boeing’s Starliner, has been hit with a series of technical glitches that have everyone concerned.

The original plan was for Williams and Wilmore to return in the Starliner, but given the ongoing issues with the spacecraft, NASA is now exploring other options. Boeing and NASA insist that Starliner is still good to go in an emergency, even with the risk of some thrusters acting up. But NASA is not taking any chances, considering the potential dangers.

One alternative on the table involves using SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, which is currently docked at the ISS. But this idea comes with its own set of problems. For starters, the spacesuits that Williams and Wilmore have for the Starliner aren’t compatible with the Crew Dragon. This means that if they were to return on the SpaceX capsule, they’d have to do so without wearing a spacesuit — something NASA confirmed in a recent call. It’s a tough pill to swallow since these suits are designed to protect the astronauts in case something goes wrong during the return trip.

Spacesuits used during launch and re-entry, known as intravehicular (IVA) suits, are crucial. They’re not just for show; they protect against sudden cabin pressure loss and help regulate temperature. Without them, the astronauts would be much more vulnerable if anything went wrong on the way down.

The reason behind this suit incompatibility goes back to NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, which funded the development of both the Starliner and Crew Dragon. Unlike past space programs, where NASA was involved in every detail, this program gave Boeing and SpaceX more freedom to design their spacecraft, as long as they met NASA’s broad requirements and safety standards. But this also meant that making sure the two companies’ systems worked together—like spacesuits fitting different spacecraft—wasn’t a priority.

To make things even more complicated, the Crew Dragon currently at the ISS is already carrying four crew members, and while it was initially designed to hold seven, it’s been reconfigured to accommodate just four. Even if NASA could get compatible suits for Williams and Wilmore, the Crew Dragon doesn’t have the necessary setup to support them.

Thankfully, there’s a backup plan in the works. NASA is looking at the upcoming Crew-9 mission, set to launch in February, which could go up with just two crew members, leaving room for Williams and Wilmore. This would allow NASA to send up spare suits, making it a much safer and more straightforward solution.

But all of this highlights the ongoing struggles with Boeing’s Starliner. After investing billions of dollars in the capsule’s development, seeing the astronauts return on a SpaceX spacecraft would be a significant setback for Boeing and raise more questions about the future of the Starliner program.

As NASA continues to sort through its options, this situation is a reminder of just how complicated and risky space travel can be, especially when multiple private companies are involved. The decisions made in the coming weeks will be crucial, not only for the safe return of the astronauts but also for the future of commercial spaceflight.