Ella Atkins is the Head of the Kevin T. Crofton Aerospace and Ocean Engineering Department at Virginia Tech.

Ella can speak to the delay, the issues, and how this could potentially be avoided in the future. Additionally she shared these thoughts:

1. ISS can continue to safely host the astronauts, but any additional delay will add to physiological and psychological stress for both astronauts who originally thought they would be "home" on Earth last summer.

2. NASA indicates the additional delay will allow a new Dragon spacecraft to be prepared for launch.  Yesterday's NASA briefing did not describe why a new crew Dragon is required.  It is likely the new Dragon addresses maintenance and/or design upgrades NASA considers important for safety.

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starliner Boeing Astronauts Aerospace