A SpaceX spacecraft will be used to return two astronauts who have been stuck on the International Space Station since June, after their troubled Boeing Starliner capsule suffered a series of technical glitches.
US space agency Nasa revealed the plans to return Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore to Earth during a press conference at the Johnson Space Centre in Houston on Saturday.
A technical issue with the Boeing Starliner's thrusters meant that the astronauts were unable to leave the ISS following what was planned as an eight-day mission.
Nasa says both astronauts will now return in February 2025 on board a SpaceX Craft Crew Dragon.
The Boeing Starliner will undock from the ISS without a crew and attempt to return to Earth as it would have with astronauts aboard.
Nasa administrators said the decision was made as uncertainty over the thrusters left an intolerable level of risk.
Nasa chief Bill Nelson admitted the decision had been difficult, but said it was made due to a commitment to safety.
"Space flight is a risk, even at its safest and even at its most routine, and a test flight, by nature, is neither safe nor routine," he said.
"Our core value is safety and it is our north star."
Mr Nelson stressed that Boeing had worked closely with Nasa around the astronauts' return, adding that Starliner remained in the agency's future plans.
“I'm grateful to Nasa and Boeing teams for their detailed and incredible work to get to this decision”, he added.
However, Nasa administrators also revealed that a “technical disagreement” existed between Nasa and Boeing engineers over the level of risk to the ISS astronauts.
Starliner's propulsion system suffered a series of glitches beginning in the first 24 hours of its flight to the ISS, sparking months of cascading delays.
Five of its 28 thrusters failed and it also suffered leaks of helium, which is used to pressurise the thrusters.
In a rare reshuffling of Nasa's astronaut operations, the two astronauts will return on a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft due to launch next month as part of a routine astronaut rotation mission.
Two of the Crew Dragon's four astronaut seats will be kept empty for Mr Wilmore and Ms Williams.
Nasa associate administrator Jim Free said: “Our focus is on safety all the time. The uncertainty remains in the safety of out thrusters. This has not been an easy, decision but is the right one.”
Boeing struggled for years to develop Starliner, a gumdrop-shaped capsule designed to compete with Crew Dragon as a second US option for sending astronauts into Earth's orbit.
Starliner failed a 2019 test to launch to the ISS uncrewed, but mostly succeeded in a 2022, attempt where it also encountered thruster problems.
If you go
Flying
Despite the extreme distance, flying to Fairbanks is relatively simple, requiring just one transfer in Seattle, which can be reached directly from Dubai with Emirates for Dh6,800 return.
Touring
Gondwana Ecotours’ seven-day Polar Bear Adventure starts in Fairbanks in central Alaska before visiting Kaktovik and Utqiarvik on the North Slope. Polar bear viewing is highly likely in Kaktovik, with up to five two-hour boat tours included. Prices start from Dh11,500 per person, with all local flights, meals and accommodation included; gondwanaecotours.com
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Match info
Manchester City 3 (Jesus 22', 50', Sterling 69')
Everton 1 (Calvert-Lewin 65')
How to help
Donate towards food and a flight by transferring money to this registered charity's account.
Account name: Dar Al Ber Society
Account Number: 11 530 734
IBAN: AE 9805 000 000 000 11 530 734
Bank Name: Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank
To ensure that your contribution reaches these people, please send the copy of deposit/transfer receipt to: juhi.khan@daralber.ae
THE BIO
BIO:
Born in RAK on December 9, 1983
Lives in Abu Dhabi with her family
She graduated from Emirates University in 2007 with a BA in architectural engineering
Her motto in life is her grandmother’s saying “That who created you will not have you get lost”
Her ambition is to spread UAE’s culture of love and acceptance through serving coffee, the country’s traditional coffee in particular.
Race card
6.30pm: Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Dirt) 1,200m
7.05pm: Meydan Cup – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (Turf) 2,810m
7.40pm: UAE 2000 Guineas – Group 3 (TB) $125,000 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm: Firebreak Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (D) 1,600m
9.50pm: Meydan Classic – Conditions (TB) $$50,000 (T) 1,400m
9.25pm: Dubai Sprint – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,200m
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8.50pm: Longines Ladies Master Collection Dh225,000 Conditions 1,600m.
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9.25pm: Longines Ladies La Grande Classique Dh155,000 Handicap 1,600m.
Winner: Secret Trade, Tadhg O’Shea, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
10pm: Longines Moon Phase Master Collection Dh170,000 Handicap 2,000m.
Winner:
GAC GS8 Specs
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Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
