SpaceX Crew Dragon vs Boeing Starliner for Astronaut Return
NASA is considering using SpaceX's Crew Dragon to bring home astronauts from the International Space Station due to issues with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft. Boeing's Starliner faced setbacks with helium leaks and thrusters malfunctioning. SpaceX's Crew Dragon may be reconfigured to carry the astronauts back to Earth, leaving two empty seats on a routine mission. The decision comes after NASA's review of Starliner's safety concerns.
Key Points
- NASA considering using Crew Dragon due to Starliner's safety concerns
- Boeing's Starliner faced setbacks with thrusters and helium leaks
- SpaceX's Crew Dragon may be reconfigured to bring astronauts home
Pros
- SpaceX's Crew Dragon has a successful track record with crewed missions since 2020
- NASA's deliberate design of having multiple spacecraft options as backups
Cons
- Boeing's Starliner faced setbacks with helium leaks and thrusters malfunctioning
- Starliner's certification for human spaceflight is in question due to unresolved issues