Reports According to NASA and Boeing, Sunita and Butch have decided that they will not return on the Starliner. To return to Earth, both will ride on the Dragon capsule of Elon Musk’s company SpaceX.
What is Crew-9 mission?
The International Space Station is located 400 kilometers above the earth. A team of astronauts is always stationed there and completes science experiments. Sunita and Butch reached the ISS in June. Their spacecraft malfunctioned, after which they were stranded there. The astronauts present on the ISS go there for a fixed time. Currently, the astronauts of the Crew-8 mission are there. This mission was launched in March this year. NASA will now launch the Crew-9 mission, which may fly in September.
What changes will happen in the Crew-9 mission
The astronauts of the Crew-9 mission will reach space aboard SpaceX’s Dragon capsule. When this spacecraft returns, Sunita and Butch will also come in it. The Dragon capsule will be modified to bring them back.
According to reports, the Dragon capsule will be launched with only 2 astronauts, so that there is space for Sunita and Butch while returning. The capsule will also have more cargo and personal items.
So what about the Starliner?
The question is what will happen to the Starliner spacecraft? NASA and Boeing are trying to bring it back to Earth. In September, an attempt will be made to land this spacecraft at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico.