It is being said in media reports that SpaceX may come forward to save both the astronauts. SpaceX has expertise in space missions. However, NASA will have to take the final decision on whether to take its help or not. Russia is also an option. If talks are held with Russia, its Soyuz spacecraft can bring back both the astronauts. Russia had also done this last year.
Why is Sunita Williams in space?
Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore flew to the ISS on June 5. Both of them had reached there in Boeing’s Starliner. It is a reusable spacecraft, which has been designed to transport astronauts to space and bring them back. The recent mission was for 9 days, but Starliner has malfunctioned due to helium gas leaking from the spacecraft. NASA had said that both the astronauts would return by June 26, but this has not happened. Now it is expected that he will come back by July 2.
If the return task is assigned to SpaceX?
The question is what would happen if SpaceX was entrusted with the task of bringing back both the astronauts. According to media reports, Boeing and SpaceX are competitors of each other. If SpaceX brings back both the astronauts, it will be a big blow to Boeing’s Starliner project. Boeing has spent a lot of time and money on the development of this spacecraft.
Russia has the capability
Last year, two Russian astronauts also got stuck on the ISS. Coolant had leaked from his spacecraft and that problem could not be fixed. After that, Russia sent its second spacecraft from Earth and returned the astronauts.