Part 6/10:
In an unexpected twist, a contingency plan has been set into motion, with NASA considering using a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft to bring the astronauts home. The decision to switch to SpaceX underscores NASA's dwindling confidence in Boeing’s Starliner. On September 24, 2024, the astronauts are scheduled to be retrieved by SpaceX, while the damaged Starliner spacecraft will return to Earth unmanned.
The Mental and Physical Toll on Astronauts
The long wait for an uncertain return to Earth brings forth a multitude of implications for the astronauts, as they rely on advanced technology to survive in a relatively isolated environment. The ISS is equipped with life-supporting systems that effectively recycle water and produce oxygen, and food is regularly supplied through cargo missions.