decisions decisions

 

NASA to decide on how to bring home stranded astronauts by end of the month https://t.co/Jq3NV0w3MB

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) August 15, 2024

from the AJ article:

NASA needs to decide whether to use the Starliner or a spacecraft from SpaceX, owned by Elon Musk. If the space agency chose SpaceX, they could potentially launch their scheduled Crew-9 mission to the ISS on September 24 with just two astronauts rather than the usual four.

Behind the Black webpage has the story here:

...Third, and most important, the wording of those statements repeatedly indicated they are looking at Dragon return more seriously. For example, NASA’s chief astronaut Joe Acaba suggested strongly that the two astronauts were now well prepared for an eight month mission, rather than coming home in August 2024.

which of course would save face by Nasa/Boeing. 

Other statements by officials suggested they themselves are less confident about returning on Starliner.

Though the data suggests they can return safely, there remains enough uncertainty to make some people uncomfortable. One factor not stated but is certainly controlling the situation now is the upcoming election in November.

italics mine. 

The Democrats who control Washington and the White House will allow nothing to happen that could hurt their election chances. We must therefore assume people in the White House are now in control and are the ones who now intend to make the decision about Starliner’s return.

 the original press releases were insisting they could just stay in space for eight months but as the BBC notes:

A return on their arch-rival’s spacecraft and the astronauts wearing SpaceX suits would be deeply embarrassing for Boeing, but it would not be the end of the line for Starliner, especially if it makes it back to Earth safely in an uncrewed landing. Nasa has repeatedly said that it is committed to developing two independent means to take crew and cargo into space. It is likely that the Space Agency will give Boeing every chance to do that.

Hmm... which would look worse for Biden/Harris? Astronauts left in space even though Dragon could rescue them (which would be viewed by those who are following the story as a political move not to acknowledge Elon Musk could save the day)? Or to let Dragon bring them back and then have their minions in the US mainstream media bury the rescue story so no one hears about it?

SpaceX leads the world in the space race, but he is now an embarrassment to the Biden/Harris administration who seems to value DEI/political correctness over expertise and strict scientific standards.

for example, the US Gov't is doing their best to slow down Space X.

 

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a movie about the last time when politics was more important than science, and how it was almost covered up until a pushy scientist spoke truth to power.

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