Houston: NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have been stranded aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for over two months following a malfunction in Boeing Starliner’s thrusters. Initially docked at the ISS on June 5 as part of Boeing Starliner’s inaugural test mission, the duo was scheduled to stay for just eight days. However, an unexpected fault in the capsule’s thrusters has left the spacecraft docked indefinitely, raising concerns over their safe return to Earth.
As tensions rise, NASA is deliberating between two options: proceeding with the risky return mission aboard the faulty Starliner or launching a SpaceX rescue mission. Meanwhile, Rudy Ridolfi, a former US military Space System Commander, has outlined three potentially catastrophic scenarios should the astronauts attempt to return using the compromised spacecraft.
The Dangers of Reentry
Ridolfi, in a recent interview with the Daily Mail, explained the precarious nature of the Boeing Starliner’s reentry procedure. For a safe return, the capsule’s service module must precisely position the spacecraft at the correct reentry angle. If aligned correctly, the capsule should safely reenter Earth’s atmosphere. However, a misalignment could spell disaster.
“If the capsule is not lined up correctly for reentry, they either burn up or bounce back into space,” Ridolfi warned. He added that if the Starliner Service Module places the capsule at too steep of a reentry angle, the capsule’s ablative heat shield might fail, leading to catastrophic consequences.
Three Potential Scenarios
Ridolfi outlined three terrifying scenarios that could occur if the astronauts attempt reentry with the faulty Starliner:
1. Stuck in Space: In the first scenario, the spacecraft’s failed thrusters leave the capsule stranded in space with only a 96-hour oxygen supply. This could happen if the reentry angle causes the capsule to bounce off Earth’s atmosphere, leaving the astronauts with limited resources.
2. Atmospheric Bounce: The second scenario involves the spacecraft bouncing off Earth’s atmosphere due to improper alignment by the service module. This would prevent the capsule from reentering Earth’s atmosphere and leave the astronauts adrift in space.
3. Vaporization: The worst-case scenario involves the astronauts being vaporized during reentry. If the reentry angle is too steep, the increased friction could cause the Starliner to burn up in the atmosphere, leading to a horrific end for the astronauts.
NASA’s Dilemma
NASA now faces the daunting decision of whether to risk the astronauts’ lives by attempting reentry with the faulty Starliner or to initiate a complex and time-sensitive SpaceX rescue mission. The space agency’s final decision will be critical in determining the fate of Williams and Wilmore, who continue to wait in uncertainty aboard the ISS.
Sunita Williams Stranded in Space: 3 Deadly Outcomes If NASA Astronauts Attempt Reentry in Starliner world-news World News | Latest International News | Global World News | World News Today
