this post was submitted on 08 Aug 2024
97 points (98.0% liked)
Space
8704 readers
48 users here now
Share & discuss informative content on: Astrophysics, Cosmology, Space Exploration, Planetary Science and Astrobiology.
Rules
- Be respectful and inclusive.
- No harassment, hate speech, or trolling.
- Engage in constructive discussions.
- Share relevant content.
- Follow guidelines and moderators' instructions.
- Use appropriate language and tone.
- Report violations.
- Foster a continuous learning environment.
Picture of the Day
The Busy Center of the Lagoon Nebula
Related Communities
π Science
- !astronomy@mander.xyz
- !curiosityrover@lemmy.world
- !earthscience@mander.xyz
- !esa@feddit.nl
- !nasa@lemmy.world
- !perseverancerover@lemmy.world
- !physics@mander.xyz
- !space@beehaw.org
- !space@lemmy.world
π Engineering
π Art and Photography
Other Cool Links
founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
view the rest of the comments
The real joke is that the can't bring back an empty capsule.
Boeing, in their infinite wisdom, decided to disable the software that would allow Starliner to undock by itself.
Despite it already having done this during its second test run.
So as of now, at least one astronaut MUST be inside the capsule to get this $6 billion space barnacle detached from the space station. They can't even send up the "rescue" ship because there wouldn't be any place for it to dock.
I think it's more that they haven't tested the software changing mode mid-mission. At least that's Scott Manley's impression(@5:50ish).
Given the software issues thus far, I can see they'd be a bit wary that flipping that switch could cause problems.
I would think they could set it back to autonomous mode but that they have to do the testing and validation to prove the system will tolerate the change with no issues.
So basically, the ISS has the equivalent of a car up on blocks parked in its driveway. How delightful.
Itβs a shame they canβt toss the responsible Boeing/NASA folks out that same airlock.
All those brains and they can't rig up a switchbot? https://us.switch-bot.com/products/switchbot-bot