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Boeing Starliner Returns to Earth Empty, Delayed by Months

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Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, which undocked from the International Space Station (ISS) on Friday, returned to Earth without the astronauts it initially delivered, months later than planned. Originally scheduled to depart earlier, the mission was extended due to issues with the capsule’s propulsion system. NASA test pilots Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who were expected to return on Starliner, will instead remain at the ISS until February, when they will return aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft.

Starliner left the ISS at 6:04 p.m. ET and touched down at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico at 12:01 a.m. ET Saturday. The undocking process was adjusted to account for the absence of crew members, who would normally handle manual control if needed.

The spacecraft’s extended stay at the ISS, lasting approximately three months instead of the planned nine days, was due to ongoing investigations into the propulsion issues. Although Boeing assured that Starliner was safe for an emergency return, NASA decided to send the spacecraft back empty to better understand the root causes of its problems.

This delay has hindered Boeing’s progress in NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, a critical initiative aimed at having multiple companies, including Boeing and SpaceX, capable of rotating missions to the ISS. The delays and additional costs, now exceeding $1.5 billion, could jeopardize Boeing’s future participation in the program.

SpaceX Postpones Historic Private Spacewalk Mission Due to Weather

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SpaceX has delayed its ambitious Polaris Dawn mission, which aimed to achieve the first-ever spacewalk by private citizens. Originally set to launch from NASA’s space center in Florida early Wednesday, the mission was postponed due to an “unfavorable weather forecast” in the planned splashdown areas. The delay follows a previous cancellation on Tuesday caused by a helium leak affecting the rocket’s connection line.

Polaris Dawn, spearheaded by fintech billionaire Jared Isaacman, was intended to feature an all-civilian crew, including Isaacman, retired US Air Force pilot Scott Poteet, and SpaceX engineers Anna Menon and Sarah Gillis. Isaacman, who previously financed SpaceX’s Inspiration4 mission in 2021, has not disclosed the total investment for this venture.

The mission will use a SpaceX Dragon capsule launched by a Falcon 9 rocket, targeting altitudes up to 1,400 km (870 miles) — the highest ever for a crewed mission since NASA’s Apollo program. The crew is scheduled to spend six days in space, with a planned spacewalk on the third day, involving Isaacman and Gillis exiting the spacecraft in upgraded SpaceX spacesuits.

During the mission, they plan to conduct experiments, including testing communications with Starlink satellites and observing the Van Allen radiation belt. The exact timing of the rescheduled launch remains unclear.

 

xAI Faces Allegations of Escalating Memphis Smog with Unpermitted Gas Turbines

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Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence venture, xAI, is under scrutiny for exacerbating air pollution in Memphis, Tennessee, due to the use of unlicensed natural gas turbines at its newly established data center. Environmental and health advocates have raised concerns about the facility’s impact on local air quality, citing the turbines’ emission of nitrogen oxides (NOx), which contribute to the region’s smog issues.

Opened in June within a former Electrolux factory, xAI’s data center has been utilizing at least 18 gas turbines to power its operations, despite lacking the necessary permits. The Southern Environmental Law Center, representing various local groups, has requested an investigation from the Shelby County Health Department and the Environmental Protection Agency. They highlight the turbines’ role in adding to Memphis’s persistent smog problem, which has earned the area an “F” grade from the American Lung Association.

While xAI plans to transition to power supplied by Memphis Light, Gas and Water (MLGW) and the Tennessee Valley Authority, the utility has only begun providing part of the required 150 megawatts of power. This transition includes infrastructure upgrades to accommodate the increased demand.

Musk, who also leads Tesla and SpaceX, launched xAI in 2023 to develop AI technologies intended to rival those from major players like Google and Microsoft. The company’s data center requires substantial power for its AI models, including the new chatbot Grok.

The turbines, some visible from public roads, are said to emit significant levels of NOx, which can irritate respiratory systems and lead to serious health problems. Permits for such equipment are typically mandated in Tennessee to regulate emissions and ensure environmental safety. However, xAI’s turbines, with a combined capacity to emit 130 tons of NOx annually, have reportedly not been subjected to these regulatory measures.

Advocates express frustration over the lack of transparency and public input regarding the xAI project, emphasizing its already substantial environmental and health impacts. This situation follows a pattern of Musk-led ventures facing similar regulatory issues, including SpaceX’s unpermitted wastewater discharges and The Boring Co.’s unauthorized wastewater releases.