NASA Adjusts Spacecraft Schedule to Expedite Starliner Astronauts’ Return

Sub: Sci

Sec: Space sector

Why in News

NASA has decided to swap the spacecraft for its upcoming Crew-10 mission to the International Space Station (ISS), which will facilitate the earlier return of two astronauts who have been on the ISS longer than expected due to issues with Boeing’s Starliner capsule.

Details:

NASA has opted to use a previously flown SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, Endeavor, instead of a newly manufactured one.
The decision was taken due to delays in the production of the new Crew Dragon capsule.
NASA will conduct a flight readiness assessment for the Endeavor capsule before the mission.
Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who reached the ISS aboard Boeing’s Starliner capsule, have remained in space much longer than planned.
Their return is contingent upon the arrival of Crew-10’s four-member team, ensuring the station’s American segment remains adequately staffed.
NASA reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring astronaut safety, stating that Wilmore and Williams would be brought home “as soon as practical.”

Impact on Other Space Missions:

The Crew Dragon Endeavor was initially planned for a private astronaut mission, Fram2, led by Maltese entrepreneur Chun Wang.
Due to the Crew-10 schedule change, Fram2 will now use a different Crew Dragon capsule.
The Crew-10 change is likely to affect Axiom Space’s upcoming mission, which includes astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary.

About SpaceX’s Fram2 Private Mission:

Fram2 is a planned private human spaceflight mission operated by SpaceX, scheduled for March 2025. It aims to be the first crewed mission to fly over Earth’s polar regions.
Mission Objectives:
- Conduct scientific research related to Earth’s polar regions.
- Capture high-resolution imagery and video of polar areas.
- Study aurora-like phenomena such as STEVE and green fragments.
- Perform experiments on the human body, including the first X-ray of a human in space.
Utilizes SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft, equipped with a panoramic cupola attachment for enhanced observation.
The mission will be a free-flight, not docking with any space station.
Planned low Earth polar orbit with an inclination of 90°.

Axiom’s International Astronaut Mission:

Axiom Space is a Houston based private company specializing in human spaceflight, offering missions to the International Space Station (ISS) and planning to build the world’s first commercial space station.