NASA astronauts revealed that the Boeing Starliner’s docking attempt at the International Space Station (ISS) was perilously close to disaster. On June 5, 2024, astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams almost had to abort the mission due to a series of critical system failures.
According to Wilmore, the first two thrusters failed as the Starliner approached the ISS, triggering concerns about the safety of the docking attempt. Normally, this would have led to an immediate abortion of the mission, but NASA waived the rules to allow the flight to continue.
However, things took a turn for the worse when the fourth thruster also failed, leaving the spacecraft without control over its six degrees of freedom. Wilmore described the feeling as if being in a fighter jet, where he relied on electronic controls to maintain stability.
Williams noted that communication during this critical moment was limited, with both astronauts expressing concerns about losing contact with Mission Control.
Despite the tense situation, NASA took control of the spacecraft for its final approach to the ISS, ensuring a successful docking attempt. The Starliner ultimately returned to Earth on September 7, 2024, without astronauts inside to minimize risks.
The unexpected trip lasted nearly nine months, with Wilmore and Williams completing their mission in a SpaceX Crew Dragon Capsule on March 18, 2024.
Source: https://www.foxnews.com/us/nasa-astronaut-reveals-nearly-failed-dock-boeing-starliner-international-space-station