NASA is working with SpaceX on a backup plan to retrieve two stranded astronauts from the International Space Station. The pair could board a planned flight by Elon Musk’s space company. A final decision has not yet been made.
Astronauts Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams flew to the space station aboard Boeing’s Starliner in June. Their mission was scheduled to last about a week. Technical problems with the Starliner prevented them from returning to Earth as planned. NASA is now considering working with SpaceX if Boeing’s planes are not feasible.
It would be painful for Boeing if another company is eventually called upon to pick up the astronauts. The Wall Street Journal previously reported that the aerospace giant believes Starliner can still be used. Insiders told the business daily that not everyone at NASA is so confident, and alternative plans are being worked on. During the astronauts’ flight, a helium leak was detected.
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