The spacecraft experienced numerous leaks and technical malfunctions. NASA says it is using the extra time to evaluate whether it can safely return.
LEILA FADEL, Host:
Earlier this month, two astronauts traveled to the International Space Station using a brand new spacecraft built by Boeing.
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UNIDENTIFIED PERSON: Five, four, three, two, one, ignition…
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UNIDENTIFIED PERSON: …And the Starliner and Atlas V taking off.
FADEL: Their flight was supposed to last about a week, but problems with the Boeing spacecraft delayed their return. This led to speculation that the astronauts were stranded aboard the space station. Joining me to discuss what’s going on is NPR science correspondent Geoff Brumfiel. Hello.
GEOFF BRUMFIEL, Byline: Good morning, Leila.
FADEL: Good morning. So, Geoff, the first question is, are these two astronauts really stranded?
BRUMFIEL: Not according to Boeing. In fact, in the first line of the statement they sent to NPR, they said, quote, “astronauts are not stuck on the International Space Station,” and that emphasis is theirs, not mine. However, Boeing’s email also stated that they currently do not have a return date, so I guess we would call this flight delayed.
FADEL: Okay. So they emphasize that they are not stuck. What’s the problem with the spaceship?
BRUMFIEL: Well, as we heard above, it’s called the Starliner. It’s basically an updated capsule that kind of hearkens back to the days of the Apollo or Gemini program, if you remember. And so this is the thing that Boeing should be able to do. It’s not that complicated. But for years, even before this launch, there was problem after problem – problems with the computers, problems with the parachutes used for landing.
They finally booted up and two more problems appeared. First, there were several leaks in the helium system, which is part of the system that allows the spacecraft to maneuver.
FADEL: Oh.
BRUMFIEL: And then there were separate problems with the thrusters, which are also used to return to Earth. Now Boeing says it’s a test flight. None of this is said to stop this spacecraft from returning if needed. But NASA kept quiet about the whole thing. They haven’t said anything publicly since a week ago. They are continuing to analyze the security and say they will provide an update today. So maybe then we will hear their thoughts.
FADEL: Okay. Geoff, Boeing has had numerous problems with their planes. Is this related to the spaceship problems?
BRUMFIEL: You know, a lot of people think that. I spoke with Ron Epstein. He’s a Bank of America analyst who has followed Boeing for decades. He says it’s a real cultural problem in society right now.
RON EPSTEIN: For a number of years now, you’ve had management teams that are more focused on shareholder returns than the core engineering business of the company.
BRUMFIEL: Whether it’s personal jets or spaceships, these safety issues come up all the time. And that seems like something that could really hurt Boeing in the long run.
FADEL: Okay. So back to the space situation, do we know how these two astronauts are holding up there?
BRUMFIEL: Well, these are not just any astronauts. Their names are Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. They are veterans of the space program and both are former Navy test pilots. These two pickles are pretty cool. So they did some interviews from the station. And they didn’t talk about it directly, but they kind of talked generally about being up there. This is Suni Williams.
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SUNI WILLIAMS: Life on Earth is truly the best it’s ever been, and we’ll be glad to come home when it’s our time to come home.
BRUMFIEL: You know, they have a pretty good view up there. I think they’re just trying to enjoy it while they can. And NASA will get them home one way or another. They have other spaceships they can use. They have other ways to bring Wilmore and Williams home if they truly decide the Starliner is unsafe to fly.
FADEL: NPR’s Geoff Brumfiel. Thank you Geoff.
BRUMFIEL: Thank you very much.
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