Astronauts Could Stay for 8 Months
Launch of the Jointly Developed Coronagraph by Korea and the US Postponed by a Month
The challenges faced by the U.S. aerospace company Boeing have impacted domestic space programs as well. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)’s plan to utilize a privately developed spacecraft for travel to and from the International Space Station (ISS) has been disrupted, leading to delays in the launch and operation of the Coronagraph developed by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute and the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute.
Boeing’s space capsule Starliner is docked to the International Space Station. [Image Source=AP Yonhap News]
◇Boeing Receives a Failing Grade in Spacecraft Development= According to foreign media reports, NASA is contemplating using a SpaceX space capsule, a competitor to Boeing, to return astronauts who have been aboard the ISS for more than two months following their first manned test flight using Boeing’s ‘CST-100 Starliner (Starliner)’. NASA recently announced in an online press conference that it is seriously considering employing SpaceX’s ‘Crew Dragon’ for the return to Earth of NASA astronauts Barry Bucci Wilmore and Suni Williams, who participated in the Starliner flight mission.
Boeing and SpaceX are competitors vying for NASA contracts. While SpaceX has gained momentum by effectively meeting NASA’s requirements, Boeing has faced multiple launch delays and significant issues with its spacecraft, hindering astronaut return efforts. Starliner experienced several helium leaks and failures in its maneuvering thrusters during the docking process with the ISS after its launch from Earth. These issues remain unresolved, leading to further delays in the planned return of astronauts.
Starliner was developed as a manned capsule to fulfill NASA’s transport missions to and from the ISS in Earth’s orbit alongside SpaceX’s ‘Crew Dragon’, but it has fallen significantly behind SpaceX. SpaceX’s Crew Dragon completed its manned test flight in 2020 and has entered the commercialization phase. Crew Dragon’s inaugural manned test flight received considerable attention as a milestone for astronaut transport through a private entity. In contrast, Starliner failed its first unmanned test flight in December 2019, successfully completed its unmanned flight in May 2022, yet encountered problems again, becoming a source of frustration for NASA.
Boeing now finds itself in a challenging position, having received criticism for ongoing issues within the aircraft sector. SpaceX has taken the lead with the Falcon 9 launch vehicle and made strides towards Mars exploration with its Starship. Meanwhile, Boeing struggles to reach the ISS in Earth’s orbit, increasing the distance between them.
If this manned test flight fails, the development timeline will be further extended. Boeing announced earlier this month that the development costs for Starliner have risen by approximately $125 million, bringing the total expenditure since 2016 to $1.6 billion (roughly 2.2 trillion won), exceeding original projections.
◇Astronauts May Experience Record 8-Month Stay Aboard Boeing Spacecraft = If everything proceeds as intended by NASA, SpaceX’s Crew Dragon will transport only two astronauts, rather than the initially planned four, to the ISS, with Wilmore and Williams scheduled to return to Earth aboard the spacecraft in February of next year. The two astronauts, who departed Earth last June and have been on the ISS for over two months, will have a total stay of 8 months, until February next year, exceeding the originally planned one-week duration.
The issues with Starliner are having a cascading effect on subsequent missions. NASA has already postponed the launch of the Dragon capsule for the Crew-9 mission to the ISS from the 18th of this month to the 24th of next month. This measure was taken considering the capsule’s role in returning the Starliner astronauts. Should NASA rely on SpaceX’s capsule for the astronaut return, Starliner will first attempt an unmanned return to Earth.
“Based on recent events, the chances have slightly increased that Starliner will return without astronauts on board,” stated Ken Bowersachs, NASA’s associate administrator for space exploration. “We are examining that option more closely to determine its feasibility.”
(Right) CODEX mounted in a large chamber for testing against the thermal vacuum environment in space. (Left) CODEX loading location on the International Space Station. Photo = Astronomy and Space Science Institute
◇Launch of Jointly Developed Korea-US Coronagraph Also Delayed = Boeing’s troubles have also impacted the overall ISS launch schedule. The launch of the coronagraph ‘Coronal Diagnostic Experiment (CODEX)’ developed by Korea and the US for observing the sun’s corona has been postponed from September to October. The Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) and the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute conducted a press conference in Jongno, Seoul, on the 8th to explain the CODEX launch timeline. Kang Hyun-woo, head of the Space Science Exploration Mission Design Program at KARI, explained, “NASA notified us a day ago that they would be postponing the launch of the coronagraph by approximately one month.” He clarified that there will be no issues regarding the launch as the coronagraph is set to be launched aboard SpaceX’s Falcon-9, but the overall schedule has been adjusted in light of the current situation at the ISS.
A coronagraph is a special telescope that can observe the corona, the outermost region of the solar atmosphere, which is less than one millionth the brightness of the sun’s surface. Previous coronagraphs were limited to capturing only the shape of the solar corona, whereas CODEX is designed to be the first of its kind to simultaneously observe the shape, temperature, and speed of the corona using a single device, rendering it as a 2D image.
The joint research team from Korea and the US began work on CODEX in October 2019 and completed its integrated assembly in April of this year. From the end of last month through early this month, they conducted the final pre-launch inspection, which included testing the communication and control functions of CODEX, at the Goddard Space Flight Center and Kennedy Space Center in the US. NASA further explained that Korea contributed approximately 20 billion won while the US invested about 30 billion won in this project.
At the briefing on the final inspection results of the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute coronagraph held at the National Science and Technology Advisory Council in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 8th, Choi Moon-hwan, a senior researcher at KASI, is explaining relevant details. The coronagraph is a telescope that can observe the corona, the outer part of the sun’s atmosphere, which is a million times darker than the sun’s surface. [Image Source=Yonhap News]
Once launched, CODEX will be operational for six months to two years after NASA astronauts onboard the ISS install and test the device for about three to four weeks. CODEX is planned to measure the temperature and velocity of the corona in an area ranging from three to ten times the radius of the sun.
NASA and KASI anticipate that CODEX will facilitate exploration of unexplored aspects of the solar corona, such as understanding why the sun’s outer layer is so hot and how the solar wind reaches such high speeds. They also expect that these findings will lead to more accurate predictions of space weather.
Dr. Sung-Hwan Choi, an astronomical scientist at KASI, who returned to Korea after conducting final inspections in the U.S., shared that NASA is responsible for developing the optical system, optical mechanics of the coronagraph, and the sun-tracking device, along with overseeing the installation and operation on the ISS. He added that “the technologies acquired while developing CODEX could be extended to the space, defense, and semiconductor industries.”
Reporter Baek Jong-min cinqange@asiae.co.kr
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Boeing ‘Starliner’ Breaks Down at the International Space Station: An In-Depth Analysis
Boeing’s space capsule Starliner docked to the International Space Station. [Image Source: AP연합뉴스]
The recent issues faced by Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft have introduced significant complications not only for the aerospace giant but also for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and international partners involved in space exploration. With astronauts potentially staying on the International Space Station (ISS) for up to eight months due to these setbacks, the timeline of future missions has been impacted dramatically.
Boeing: A Critical Examination of Starliner’s Performance
NASA announced that it might be forced to use SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft to return astronauts Barry Bucci Wilmore and Suni Williams, who have been aboard the ISS for over two months as part of the Starliner mission. This comes after Starliner encountered severe mechanical issues, including helium leaks and performance failures in its maneuvering thrusters during the docking phase. Consequently, NASA is weighing the option of a Crew Dragon return flight for these astronauts, highlighting Boeing’s recurring problems during spacecraft development.
The Boeing vs. SpaceX Rivalry
The competition between Boeing and SpaceX has always raised concerns regarding Boeing’s reliability in executing NASA contracts. SpaceX’s Crew Dragon successfully completed its manned test flight in 2020, setting a high standard of efficiency and trustworthiness. In contrast, Boeing’s Starliner faced multiple delays and setbacks, including its first unmanned test flight failure in December 2019 and further delays amid the latest issues.
Implications for astronauts aboard the ISS
If NASA opts for SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, it will only transport two astronauts instead of the originally intended four. Wilmore and Williams, who were expected to return earlier, may now spend a total of eight months aboard the ISS, which was initially planned to be a brief one-week stay. “Based on recent developments, the likelihood of Starliner returning without onboard astronauts has increased,” expressed Ken Bowersachs, NASA’s associate administrator for space exploration.
Impact on Future ISS Missions and Launch Schedules
The chain reaction of delays caused by Starliner’s issues has already affected subsequent missions. For instance, NASA has shifted the launch date for the Crew-9 mission to the ISS from the originally planned date of August 18 to September 24. The delay allows for the Crew Dragon capsule to be allocated for the return mission of Starliner astronauts, indicating a direct correlation between Boeing’s setbacks and the broader scheduling of ISS operations.
CODEX mounted for thermal vacuum testing. [Image Source: Astronomy and Space Science Institute]
Joint Korea-US Coronagraph CODEX Launch Delayed
The ramifications of Boeing’s issues extend beyond the Starliner to affect other international collaborations, notably the Coronal Diagnostic Experiment (CODEX). This mission—developed jointly by South Korea and the United States—aimed to advance solar observations. Originally scheduled for a September launch, the CODEX mission has now shifted to October, as NASA advised that the delays were partially linked to ongoing concerns with the ISS.
What is CODEX?
CODEX is set to be the first coronagraph capable of simultaneously observing the solar corona’s shape, temperature, and speed, presenting data in a comprehensive 2D format. The development of CODEX began in October 2019, with investments totaling about 50 billion won (approximately $39 million) from both Korea and the US.
Briefing on CODEX final inspection results in Seoul. [Image Source: 연합뉴스]
Understanding the Broader Impact of Spacecraft Failures
Boeing’s challenges with the Starliner serve as a crucial reminder of the complexities and risks inherent in aerospace development. Repeated issues, such as the current complications and significant budget overruns—amounting to an additional $125 million since the development began—underscore the need for rigorous testing, quality assurance, and perhaps a re-evaluation of partnerships in space exploration.
Challenges Faced by Boeing
- Delayed launches and mission schedules.
- Budget overruns—totaling $1.6 billion since project inception.
- Increased reliance on competitors for operational capabilities.
Conclusion: Navigating the Future of Space Exploration
While Boeing’s commitment to addressing its Starliner issues remains, the implications of its setbacks ripple through international partnerships and future missions. As SpaceX continues to thrive, the aerospace community is left to ponder Boeing’s next moves and its ability to regain competitiveness in the fast-evolving landscape of space exploration.
NASA, KARI, and KASI are hopeful that the CODEX mission will fulfill its objectives once operational, contributing to a better understanding of the solar phenomena and laying groundwork for future advancements in solar observation technology.
