NASA Shuffles Crew-9 Lineup & New Antarctic Probes: Weekly Science Update

NASA announced changes to the Crew-9 lineup to accommodate two astronauts aboard the ISS. Boeing's uncrewed Starliner may return next week, and SpaceX Falcon 9 could resume flights amidst an FAA probe. NASA engineers are developing underwater probes to study Antarctic ice melting. A new study suggests early blood tests for predicting women's cardiovascular risks.

NASA has made adjustments to its Crew-9 mission roster, announcing on Friday that Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams will replace Zena Cardman and Stephanie Wilson on an upcoming SpaceX flight. This decision follows issues with Boeing's Starliner capsule, currently at the ISS.

Meanwhile, the uncrewed Boeing Starliner is slated for undocking not before September 6, following a thorough review. NASA aims to bring its astronauts back to Earth in a SpaceX vehicle by early next year.

In other space news, the SpaceX Falcon 9 may return to flight even as an investigation into a recent mission anomaly continues. On Friday, the FAA approved SpaceX's request to resume flights, provided all other licensing requirements are met.

Shifting focus to climate concerns, NASA engineers are developing underwater robotic probes to study the rapid melting of Antarctic ice shelves. These probes, being tested in the Arctic, aim to provide critical data on rising sea levels due to climate change.

Additionally, a new study recommends that women's cardiac risk assessments through blood tests should begin in their 30s, much earlier than the post-menopause evaluations conducted now. The findings were presented at the European Society of Cardiology annual meeting in London.

(With inputs from agencies.)