The future of Boeing's crewed spaceflight program muddy after Starliner's return
Boeing's Starliner program faces significant technical and safety challenges, while SpaceX's Crew Dragon has successfully completed seven ISS missions, raising concerns about the effectiveness of NASA's Commercial Crew Program.
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Boeing's Starliner spacecraft has faced significant challenges since its inception, raising questions about the future of the company's crewed spaceflight program. Initially selected by NASA for its Commercial Crew Program alongside SpaceX, Boeing was awarded $4.2 billion to develop Starliner, while SpaceX received $2.6 billion for its Crew Dragon. Despite the ambitious goals set for 2017, both companies missed their initial crewed flight deadlines due to technical issues and funding delays. SpaceX has since achieved considerable success, completing seven operational missions to the International Space Station (ISS) and establishing a reliable transportation service for astronauts. In contrast, Starliner has struggled with software problems, safety concerns, and delays, including a recent uncrewed flight that ended with the crew needing alternative transportation back to Earth. As Boeing's Starliner program continues to face setbacks, the effectiveness of NASA's Commercial Crew Program is under scrutiny, particularly in light of SpaceX's achievements and the geopolitical context affecting U.S. reliance on Russian spacecraft.
- Boeing's Starliner program has encountered multiple technical and safety challenges.
- SpaceX's Crew Dragon has successfully completed seven operational missions to the ISS.
- Both companies missed their initial crewed flight deadlines set for 2017.
- The future of Boeing's crewed spaceflight program remains uncertain.
- NASA's Commercial Crew Program effectiveness is being questioned due to Boeing's struggles.
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6 comments> The NASA officials at the press conference said they were confident that Boeing would continue despite losing at least $1.6 billion so far on the fixed-price contract and facing more losses amid investigations into the thruster failures on Starliner's latest flight. But there were no Boeing officials to ask. In the immediate aftermath of the landing, the company issued a short statement that included this noncommittal comment about its plans: "We will review the data and determine the next steps for the program."
From the article, it seems like the implication is that the program is under review from the Boeing side and not the Nasa side.
That's probably the reason why Boeing pulled him out of the press conference right there...
If only the development of Sierra Space's Dream Chaser wasn't moving at a snail's pace. (That project started back in 2004; they're currently hoping for the first test flight, of an unmanned cargo version, to happen in 2025.)
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Boeing's Starliner program has lost $1.6 billion since 2016, with delays pushing the first crewed flight to June 2024. NASA may clear Starliner for return, but operational missions are delayed until February 2025.
NASA Says Boeing Starliner Astronauts May Fly Home on SpaceX in 2025
NASA is considering using SpaceX's Crew Dragon for the return of astronauts from the ISS due to significant issues with Boeing's Starliner, which has also led to financial losses for Boeing.
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NASA has halted Boeing's Starliner crewed flight due to safety issues, raising doubts about future missions. Boeing faces significant delays, technical problems, and has incurred $1.6 billion in charges.
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