Do you think that was a consideration?

I guarantee they at least considered the optics. They may have also been factoring in EVA spacesuits on the ISS and whether having three women on the station simultaneously could result in a mismatch of astronauts to suits for required work. Probably, a lot of factors we will never see. In any case, good to see my classmate getting his third launch to the ISS (first two on Soyuz including one wild ride).

https://youtu.be/eDOtHT9jgIg?si=yNmeOhaXUPDFuAHH

They were required to keep the Russian. So among the other 3, they chose the one with the most experience to be able to handle any problems with the spacecraft enroute.

Alexander Gorbunov was not likely to be bumped because he's with Roscosmos and we didn't want to bump a customer. I am a little surprised to see Nick keeping his seat as he was "Pilot" and Zena was "Commander". I figured she and Alex would fly and the other two would sit it out.

Despite the delay, this is actually a promotion for Nick, from Pilot to Commander. Zena will probably retain her seat for the Crew 10 mission whenever that comes.

But that's not how DEI works.

OK, so just to check my understanding:
When a minority gets a position, you complain about DEI.
When a more qualified candidate is chosen which results in bumping minorities, you somehow still work it into a complaint about DEI?

Perhaps I should have put my comment in green. I realize that humor and sarcasm don't always come across in written comments.

No worries, John. Personally, I find all this culture war crap pretty boring. And I can’t keep up with who I’m supposed to be angry with at any given time.

Listen to this audio. Super weird sounds coming from the Starliner vehicle. Butch seemed a little nonplussed about it.

https://x.com/spacebasedfox/status/1830 ... B0ea3N9Uzg

(fun fact: macOS auto-correct keeps changing "Starliner" to "Strainer.")

what next?

Space aliens beating on the door with a hammer. Don't let them in. They are probably there to mooch booze and cigarettes. Or eat everyone's brains. Never can tell with space aliens.

No, it is the finest quality gremlins made by Boeing trying to get off the Starliner and into the safety of the ISS. These gremlins were originally invented by Douglas, improved by McDonnell, and perfected by Boeing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXHKDb0CNjA

Maybe this shouldn't be green....

Well the problem there is that NASA doesn’t stock cigarettes or booze on the ISS.

… maybe Roscosmos has a little vodka tucked away.

Well the problem there is that NASA doesn’t stock cigarettes or booze on the ISS.

… maybe Roscosmos has a little vodka tucked away.