As we told you a few weeks ago, one of SpaceX’s Crew Dragons will take on the role which, and I apologize in advance if it might sound a little frivolous, sounds almost more like something out of a Bruce Willis movie than a real situation. Obviously, the development will of course be very different from what we would find in a Michael Bay film about a similar situation, but there is also no doubt that based on a similar premise, there is a great link of engine-revving action cinematography that would keep us glued to the screen and wide-eyed for 120 minutes.

lHowever, the reality will be very different from this thriller which is perhaps already being born in the heads of some directors, screenwriters and producers. And unlike the fiendish pace of these productions, in this case we find ourselves with a rescue that will last several months and that will not respond to heroic actions and will not have explosions (of course, we hope), but calculated work. to the millimeter by all the experts who are responsible for it.

I am of course talking about the return to Earth of two Starliner crew members who flew to the International Space Station last June. You probably remember that although they managed to get to the ISS safely, the ship experienced several problems (leaks of helium and failure of some propellants) that called into question its safety. So after about two months of waiting for a decision in this regard, the decision was made that the Starliner would return to Earth “empty” and that SpaceX, with one of its Crew Dragons, would be in charge of bringing the Starliner crew back to Earth.

The problem is, it’s not as simple as sending a taxi for someone.. Both for operation and costs, and above all for safety, everything needs to be fine-tuned to the millimeter. And so did all parties involved in putting together a plan to bring back Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. A plan that ranges from aspects such as dates and adjustments in previous mission programming to very important technical details such as the incompatibility of the Starliner “flight” suits, those worn by Wilmore and Williams after their first flight. stage, with Crew Dragon, in which it will return home, probably in February next year.

SpaceX’s quick and efficient response allowed the ninth Crew Dragon mission, originally planned to carry four passengers both out and back, to be modified to now carry the planned four crew members. but she is ready to bring sixand in fact the suits I mentioned above are already on their way to their users in Crew 9 so they will have them available today should the ISS ever need to be evacuated for any eventuality.

More information and images: NASA