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.
If they’ve made up their mind about it, I want them to bring back the empty capsule as is. Just to see what happens.
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.
So basically, the ISS has the equivalent of a car up on blocks parked in its driveway. How delightful.
It’s a shame they can’t 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