SpaceflightMemes

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threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works

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They're doing fine, they're just... still there. (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 8 months ago by threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works to c/spaceflightmemes@sh.itjust.works

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[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 21 points 8 months ago (1 children)

the crew is stuck waiting for a return flight

Minor correction: Their return flight (the Crew-9 Dragon) arrived on September 29th, it just isn't scheduled to leave until March. They aren't "stuck", and could safely evacuate the ISS in the event of an emergency.

[–] GreyEyedGhost@lemmy.ca 6 points 8 months ago (1 children)

I think this is an important distinction, but having an emergency escape vehicle available isn't exactly the same as being able to just leave.

I think the takeaway from this is that a backup return vehicle maybe should have been prepared before Boeing got the go-ahead for this launch.

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 1 points 8 months ago

having an emergency escape vehicle available isn’t exactly the same as being able to just leave

Maybe, but I bet they are secretly a bit happy that their stay got extended. They are both experienced astronauts, and this could be their last spaceflight. Suni gets to be ISS commander too.

I think the takeaway from this is that a backup return vehicle maybe should have been prepared before Boeing got the go-ahead for this launch.

What vehicle would it be? For political reasons, Soyuz is probably out. That just leaves Dragon. It seems like a bit of a waste to launch a 4-seater capsule empty, and if you fill the remaining two seats with astronauts, you might as well have them stay for a while, which is exactly where we are today.