NASA anticipates productive activity on the International Space Station

NASA is planning a series of activities on the International Space Station (ISS) aimed at bringing an end to the rather turbulent operations on the station. In particular, the return of the tested Starliner capsule and the upcoming flight of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket could soon create some movement. Following several weeks during which NASA's ability to transport astronauts to and from orbit had stalled, NASA representatives on Friday predicted an impending overloading of the ISS. However, this unexpected traffic density in orbit is being viewed positively by those in charge. "We have never had this many vehicles and this many options," stated Ken Bowersox, Deputy Administrator overseeing NASA's Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, during a press conference on Friday. "It complicates our lives, but in a really good way." Recently, activities on the space station have been quite eventful. A new Boeing spacecraft encountered propulsion issues en route to the ISS; astronauts had to seek shelter after a defunct Russian satellite disintegrated, and some extravehicular activities were canceled due to spacesuit issues. Additionally, the question of when SpaceX might send more astronauts into space arose following the failure of a rocket in orbit. These difficulties now appear to have been overcome. NASA announced that the next launch of a Crew Dragon spacecraft by SpaceX, the ninth mission by SpaceX to bring four astronauts to the ISS for a six-month stay, is scheduled no earlier than August 18. However, before this crew can depart for the ISS, the problematic Starliner capsule, built by aerospace company Boeing and currently docked at the space station, is finally set to return to Earth with two NASA astronauts. Astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore have been on the ISS for weeks longer than planned due to the spacecraft's propulsion issues. Following the next Crew Dragon launch, another Crew Dragon vehicle currently docked at the ISS is set to bring four current station residents back to Earth after their six-month stay.