How should the astronauts get home?

[msc545]

The astonauts ot into space on the Starliner, a Boeing product which partially failed partway there (surprise, surprise...). It may not be safe for them to return on it.

NASA seems to have settled on two different options for bringing the two astronauts back to Earth. They could still fly back on Starliner if NASA engineers become more comfortable with the uncertainty about the thruster performance, and if so, they would do so during the second half of this August or the first part of September 2024. (Like right now almost).

Alternatively, NASA could launch the Crew-9 mission with a complement of two rather than four astronauts, and Wilmore and Williams would join that "increment" on the space station and fly back to Earth in February 2025.

Take a chance on the Starliner and get home quickly - or maybe not at all.

Use the "Crew-9 spacecraft and get home safely in 6 months.

[BoopBoopBeep]

I have avoided boeing airplanes for the better part of a decade I wouldn't trust them to bring me back from space any more than I would Red Bull.

[msc545]

I have a feeling you have known something important about Boeing a lot longer than most of us have, yes?

[BoopBoopBeep]

Well before I just never thought they few is comfortably. I prefer Embraer for their safety record, and "the Cadillac of the skies" was the title bestowed upon the 175, which flew like a plane well above its weight class. I usually stick to them unless I'm flying outside their range and can't do multiple layovers along the way. When I had to fly long haul, it would be airbus because I found the cabin noise to be less obnoxious when the engines spool up. Not quieter necessarily, just a pitch I found less annoying.

[msc545]

I like Airbus, but for commuting, I have flown on 737s (Southwest) a lot because they are generally going where I am going. Never questioned their safety until recently but next time I will probably just fly myself if it's under 1 K miles...

[BoopBoopBeep]

Probably the safest. Certainly the most fun.

[msc545]

It sure is! 😉

[BoopBoopBeep]

Thanks for MHO by the way. Just finished my second race today. Got another one in 6 hours so I'm going to rack out. Boop my buddy for me.

[msc545]

Great - how is the racing going? Allister bets on you to win each time you race - and he is getting rich from it!

[BoopBoopBeep]

I had an 8k, 5k and 10k all in the past 26 hours wearing 38lbs. Haha now I am going to take a nap. Maybe until dinner time. I dunno. Send Allister my love.

[msc545]

Alistair sends his regards and wonders when you are coming to visit?

[BoopBoopBeep]

Haha... soon as my life can get partially stabilized. Tons of great races out there.

[msc545]

Great! Hey, we even have races on the beach or very near it.

[LiamJHayden]

At this point I wouldn't trust a remote controlled model plane built by Boeing.

[msc545]

Preach brother!

[NathanDavis]

yeah... last I read about it, they can clear their current ride, and if not... they can just hop the Elon's Musk space bus to come back...

but the third option, which is one that sounds like a relief is that, both of the astronauts are fully prepared to join the crew at the ISS and to just stay with them for "full-time" work for some months and not even worry about coming back any time soon, or just to come back whenever a much certain plan is in effect

[AviatorTom]

As Mission Commander, and since Starliner needs a crew onboard since its autonomous software isn't enabled nor tested, Butch should pilot Starliner back to Earth, hopefully making it safely. For safety, and to reduce overall risk, Suni should stay on ISS and return on Dragon at the next crew change.

[Anonymous]

Use the "Crew-9 spacecraft and get home safely in 6 months.

[dustybiker2]

Trump would ask the Russians

[exitseven]

It is really going to piss off the democrats because it will be Elon musk's Space X that will do the rescue since he supports President Trump/. Probably by the time Trump is sworn in Space X will be getting ready to rescue.

[dustybiker2]

His last rocket launch failed. I wouldn't want to be them. 😏

[exitseven]

@dustybiker2 actually being an astronaut is not the sweet gig it used to be,

[dustybiker2]

Agreed

[msc545]

We are talking about human beings here. Unlike Republicans, we value human life, so we will be grateful to whoever saves the astronauts. Fuck the politics.

[dustybiker2]

I'd want someone who can actually save them not just show off.

[msc545]

@dustybiker2 Many right-wing people seem to think that money and politics are more important than people.

[dustybiker2]

In this case my political middle seat comes
in handy.
Going to space is an extremely costly endeavor.
Those men knew it was just as risky getting shot out there. The chances of a clean run are low anyway. Why do we need to be out there? Really?
This is cost.. but it was also choice.

[CaptainSmartass]

They should have the RAC tow it back.

Simples...

[noohair]

It's Boeing. don't go there.

[EmmaMary]

Catch a bus, train or call Uber! lol

[Sevenpointfive]

why are they in space?

[Drewtate]

Call musk