Tag: Crewed Flight

AIAA Statement on Blue Origin’s Successful NS-31 Mission

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 14, 2025 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) issued the following statement from AIAA CEO Clay Mowry:

“Congratulations to Blue Origin on its 11th human flight as the all-female crew roared beyond the Kármán line, a successful NS-31 mission. It’s an exciting time in history, witnessing the number of commercial astronauts growing to more than 50 people through the New Shepard program. We’re so inspired as we hear how each crew member has been changed when they return to Earth.”

Media Contact: Rebecca Gray, [email protected], 804-397-5270 cell

About AIAA
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is the world’s largest aerospace technical society. With nearly 30,000 individual members from 91 countries, and 100 corporate members, AIAA brings together industry, academia, and government to advance engineering and science in aviation, space, and defense. Visit www.aiaa.org, and follow AIAA on X/Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

NASA Confirms Boeing Starliner Astronauts Will Return Home on SpaceX Dragon in 2025

SPACE reports that NASA decided Saturday (Aug. 24) to return its two Boeing Starliner astronauts to Earth in February 2025. Their Starliner capsule will come back empty over thruster concerns. “NASA and Boeing jointly decided that Williams and Wilmore will not head back to Earth aboard the same Starliner capsule that brought them to the ISS. Rather, they will climb aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule for their descent to our planet, a vessel dedicated to the Crew-9 mission set to launch in September that will be modified to accommodate the Starliner astronauts.”
Full Story (SPACE)

NASA Chief to Make Final Call On When Starliner Crew Returns Home

Ars Technica reports, “NASA on Tuesday confirmed that it is delaying the launch of its next astronaut mission to the International Space Station, Crew 9, until at least September 24. This is a significant slip from the previous date of August 18. The space agency said the delay was necessary for ‘operational flexibility’ as it continues to deliberate on the viability of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. In the release, NASA stated, ‘This adjustment allows more time for mission managers to finalize return planning for the agency’s Boeing Crew Flight Test currently docked to the orbiting laboratory.’”
Full Story (Ars Technica)

Boeing Closer to Understanding Thruster Failures After Latest Testing

AP News reports, “Boeing is closer to understanding what went wrong with its astronaut capsule in orbit, now that testing is complete on a spare thruster here on Earth. … Officials said Thursday there’s still no return date for astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. Engineers will first disassemble the thruster that was test-fired in New Mexico over the past couple of weeks. Then they’ll analyze the data before clearing Starliner for the trip home.”
Full story (AP News)

NASA Astronauts Are Sure That Boeing’s Starliner Will Get Them Home

The Washington Post reports, “The two NASA astronauts who flew in Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft to the International Space Station last month said Wednesday that they have no concerns the capsule will be able to fly them home safely, even as their return has been postponed indefinitely while NASA and Boeing struggle to determine what caused a series of thruster failures and helium leaks.”
Full Story (The Washington Post)

NASA Orders More Starliner Tests as Crew Remains in Space

Ars Technica reports, “NASA and Boeing officials pushed back Friday on headlines that the commercial Starliner crew capsule is stranded at the International Space Station but said they need more time to analyze data before formally clearing the spacecraft for undocking and reentry. Two NASA astronauts, Butch Wilmore and pilot Suni Williams will spend at least a few more weeks on the space station as engineers on the ground conduct thruster tests to better understand issues with the Starliner propulsion system in orbit.”
Full Story (Ars Technica)

Astronauts Remain at ISS as Engineers Examine Issues with Starliner’s Propulsion System

The Washington Post reports, “Before Boeing’s first flight with humans on its Starliner spacecraft earlier this month, the company and NASA said repeatedly that a rigorous testing program following years of delays and costly setbacks meant it was finally ready to fly astronauts. Instead of coming home after about eight days, the spacecraft remains docked to the station, its return delayed indefinitely while teams continue to troubleshoot a series of problems in the capsule’s propulsion system.”
Full Story (The Washington Post – Subscription Publication)

Starliner Return Delayed a Few More Days as NASA and Boeing Study Data

Ars Technica reports, “NASA and Boeing will take an additional four days to review all available data about the performance of the Starliner spacecraft before clearing the vehicle to return to Earth, officials said Tuesday. Based on the new pending schedule, Starliner would undock at 10:10 pm ET on Tuesday, June 25, from the ISS. This would set up a landing at 4:51 ET on June 26 at the White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico.”
Full Story (Ars Technica)