What Do You Make Of NASA's Decision To Cancel Astronauts’ Return On The Boeing Starliner?

After reviewing risk data, NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration has decided to leave astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore onboard the International Space Station (ISS) until February. They will return to Earth onboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule instead of the Starliner as originally planned. NASA explained this was a difficult decision, erring on the side of safety, though Boeing had expressed confidence that Starliner could return with the crew.?

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson stated,"Spaceflight is risky, even at its safest and most routine. A test flight, by nature, is neither safe, nor routine. The decision to keep Butch and Suni aboard the International Space Station and bring Boeing’s Starliner home uncrewed is the result of our commitment to safety: our core value and our North Star. I’m grateful to both the NASA and Boeing teams for all their incredible and detailed work."

The NASA decision is seen as a setback for Boeing , which is already experiencing several setbacks in its commercial aircraft division.?

What do you make of NASA’s decision to leave astronauts on the ISS? Was it the right move? What do you think this means for the future of the Starliner program???

By Marisa Garcia - Journalist | Simple Flying