Boeing’s Starliner capsule, currently docked at the International Space Station (ISS), is facing extended delays and technical issues that have caused NASA to reconsider how to return its astronauts to Earth. Originally planned as an eight-day mission, the crewed test flight has now lasted almost two months, adding another $125 million in losses to Boeing’s already $1.6 billion deficit on the program.
The Starliner mission, which launched in early June, aimed to validate Boeing’s spacecraft for future lengthy crew missions to and from the ISS. However, multiple thruster failures during docking have raised concerns about the spacecraft’s reliability and safety. NASA and Boeing have extended the mission several times to conduct thorough testing and identify the root cause of the issues.
NASA has been discussing the possibility of returning the Starliner empty and using SpaceX’s Crew Dragon to bring back astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. Despite the challenges, Boeing remains confident in Starliner’s ability to safely return the crew, supporting NASA’s additional data requests to ensure the spacecraft’s undocking and landing capabilities.
The delays and technical problems have highlighted the contrasting trajectories of Boeing and SpaceX. While SpaceX has successfully fulfilled its NASA contract for crewed missions with the Crew Dragon, Boeing has struggled to meet its obligations under a similar fixed-price contract. These struggles have led NASA to purchase additional missions from SpaceX, making it the primary provider of astronaut transportation services.
NASA and Boeing officials have emphasized that the extended mission is a routine part of spaceflight testing. Nevertheless, media briefings have been scarce, leading to public speculation and sensationalized headlines about the astronauts being stranded in space. NASA’s Steve Stich and Boeing’s Mark Nappi have reassured the public that the crew and capsule are safe and that the mission’s extended duration is due to the necessary testing and troubleshooting.
The future of Boeing’s Starliner program remains uncertain, with potential further delays and additional costs looming. NASA has already pushed back the first operational Starliner mission to no earlier than August 2025. Despite the setbacks, recent tests have shown promising results, with thruster performance returning to preflight levels.
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