33 minutes ago, DD_Arthur said:

I’m thinking it’s much more likely to be a Soyuz for the return journey….

 

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/boeing-races-catch-spacex-orbit-120700646.html

"If NASA has to fly a rescue mission, it's pretty clear which spacecraft it would use. And even if no rescue is needed, just Boeing knowing SpaceX would have been NASA's rescuer of choice has to sting a bit."

Edited June 22, 20241 yr by martin-w

It boggles the mind!  I had assumed that surely this par of Boeing would not have the same sort of quality control issues that they have with their aircraft.  They just don't seem to be able to get anything right.

On 6/22/2024 at 7:32 AM, martin-w said:

 

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/boeing-races-catch-spacex-orbit-120700646.html

"If NASA has to fly a rescue mission, it's pretty clear which spacecraft it would use. And even if no rescue is needed, just Boeing knowing SpaceX would have been NASA's rescuer of choice has to sting a bit."

It'll be a Soyuz. It's already up there, and the two Astros who flew Starliner are already familiar with Soyuz procedures; not so much with Crew Dragon. If they need to send a replacement it's easier for them to do so than SpaceX.

On 6/22/2024 at 10:02 AM, AviatorMan said:

It boggles the mind!  I had assumed that surely this par of Boeing would not have the same sort of quality control issues that they have with their aircraft.  They just don't seem to be able to get anything right.

This doesn't look good for Boeing. I think the pressure is being felt Company wide, and you can be sure the powers that be will call a Hearing to grill the Suits, Skirts and Power Pantsuits about their latest issues. The Space environment dictates a razor thin Margin for Error..

Edited June 24, 20241 yr by ViperPilot

On 6/24/2024 at 3:00 PM, ViperPilot said:

It'll be a Soyuz. It's already up there,

 

Would they want American astronauts rescued by the Russians though, or a US spacecraft?

Most sources are saying it would be Dragon to the rescue.

Yes, Soyuz is already up there, but if it's used there will be no emergency lifeboat. I'm thinking SpaceX Crew Dragon... but we shall see.

Most likely scenario is that they will figure out the technical issues sufficient for the return home.

8 hours ago, martin-w said:

 

Would they want American astronauts rescued by the Russians though, or a US spacecraft?

Most sources are saying it would be Dragon to the rescue.

Yes, Soyuz is already up there, but if it's used there will be no emergency lifeboat. I'm thinking SpaceX Crew Dragon... but we shall see.

Most likely scenario is that they will figure out the technical issues sufficient for the return home.

Well, Soyuz MS-25 is the only Soyuz man rated spacecraft at the ISS, slated to return in September with three crew members; two Russian and one American. The Next Crew Dragon launch is scheduled for late November with Crew 9, once Crew Dragon Endeavour returns in August with four passengers and the spacecraft is refurbished for the Crew 9 launch. The only other spacecraft docked at the ISS besides Starliner are two Progress resupply modules (87 & 88) and a Cygnus resupply module (NG-20).

Either they get Starliner's bugs worked out and use her to return, or else Roscosmos will have to launch two Soyuz spacecraft; one with the next Crew, and another one empty to fulfill the ISS Lifeboat requirement.

I'm pretty sure they will return to Earth in Starliner. They have plenty of helium and from what I've read, the astronauts are free to safely depart in Starliner if an emergency arises.

It seems, rather than stranded, they are just tacking the time to understand the issue before return, because that oportunity would be lost during reentry.