Earlier this month, when we watched Boeing launch its first Starliner spacecraft into orbit carrying two NASA astronauts, it was a rather exciting event. Boeing was the first commercial company to pose any sort of challenge to Elon Musk’s SpaceX program, carrying cargo and passengers to the International Space Station. However, the excitement quickly turned to concern when Boeing announced that the vessel had developed a helium leak. Then, after achieving orbit, the vessel exhibited some sort of a “glitch” with its thrusters, making it unable to successfully dock with the ISS on the first attempt. The astronauts were eventually delivered, but the mission’s return flight, originally scheduled for a week later, was delayed multiple times. Now, three weeks later, it has been delayed yet again. Will they be able to bring those astronauts back to Earth safely? (Space.com)
The return to…
