NASA’s latest handling of its astronaut mission has raised more than a few eyebrows, as two American astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, remain stranded in space.
Their mission, which was supposed to last only eight days, has stretched into nearly nine months after the Boeing Starliner crew capsule they were using ran into multiple issues.
Despite the dire situation, NASA insists that the astronauts are not “stranded,” though the truth behind their extended stay is becoming increasingly suspicious.
The Struggle to Return Home and the Role of Politics
The issues began back in June when Wilmore and Williams launched aboard the Starliner capsule to the International Space Station.
However, technical problems like thruster issues and helium leaks led NASA to decide that returning them to Earth using the capsule was too risky.
Since then, they have remained in orbit. NASA’s official line remains that the astronauts are not stranded, and they are “grateful” to be in space.
But is this truly the case?
Former NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory manager, now aerospace consultant, Jeff Nosanov, questions the agency’s transparency.
According to SpaceX founder Elon Musk, a rescue mission for the astronauts could have already happened, but it was blocked by the Biden administration.
Wilmore, during a recent interview, seemingly supported Musk’s claims, adding fuel to the fire of skepticism around NASA’s handling of the situation.
The Health Risks of Long-Term Space Travel
While Wilmore and Williams may have accepted their fate in space, the physical toll is becoming evident, especially for Williams.
At 59, she is on track to break the record for the longest stretch in space for a woman.
The risk for astronauts, particularly older women like Williams, includes the potential effects of osteoporosis, which could lead to brittle bones and long-term physical damage.
When she returns to Earth, her health will likely be a point of study, given the unique strain that prolonged exposure to zero gravity has on the body.
NASA’s Declining Purpose and Growing Issues
NASA’s troubles go beyond this mission. Established in 1958 to win the space race against the Soviet Union, the agency once had bold goals.
However, since the fall of the USSR, NASA has struggled to redefine its mission.
What started with the moon landings in the 1960s and the creation of the International Space Station in the 1990s has now dwindled to sending astronauts to the ISS but struggling to get them back home.
The space agency seems to have lost its way, focusing more on securing federal contracts than making significant strides in space exploration.
Boeing’s Role in the Space Crisis
The situation is further complicated by NASA’s partnership with Boeing.
The aerospace giant has faced numerous setbacks, from manufacturing issues with its commercial airliners to problems with the Starliner capsule itself.
In 2023, Boeing had to delay the launch of its first crewed Starliner due to safety concerns.
Then, when NASA decided the capsule was too unsafe for human travel, Boeing executives were reportedly furious.
But despite these failures, NASA has continued to rely on Boeing due to its multi-billion-dollar contracts.
SpaceX Steps in to Save the Day
With NASA and Boeing at odds, the burden now falls on SpaceX to bring Wilmore and Williams home.
SpaceX is preparing to launch its Dragon capsule in the next two weeks to rescue the astronauts, potentially offering the best-case scenario for both the astronauts and the public.
The hope is that the astronauts will return safely and, at long last, the full story of what happened behind the scenes will finally be told.
In the end, the situation highlights a deeper issue within NASA, a once-proud institution that now seems mired in bureaucratic issues, political interference, and questionable corporate partnerships.
While the astronauts remain in space, it is becoming increasingly clear that there is much more to this story than what NASA is willing to admit.