Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft faces a critical test as it prepares for an uncrewed return to Earth, casting doubt on its future in NASA’s human spaceflight program.
At a Glance
- Starliner will return to Earth empty on September 7, without astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore
- NASA cited safety concerns, including thruster failures and helium leaks, for the decision
- The spacecraft’s performance during re-entry is crucial for its future viability
- Boeing has faced multiple setbacks and delays with the Starliner program
- NASA’s investment in Starliner totals over $5 billion, with Boeing incurring $1.6 billion in charges
Starliner’s Troubled Journey
Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, initially developed to transport astronauts to and from the International Space Station (ISS), is set for a crucial uncrewed return to Earth. The capsule is scheduled to undock from the ISS at 8:04 p.m. MDT on Friday, September 6, and land at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico around 12:03 a.m. on Saturday, September 7.
This test flight, which began in early June, has been plagued by technical issues. Five of Starliner’s 28 maneuvering thrusters failed during docking at the ISS, and five small helium leaks were identified. These problems have raised serious concerns about the spacecraft’s reliability and safety for human transport.
The fate of the Boeing Starliner crew remains uncertain as NASA decides how to get the two astronauts home from the International Space Station. https://t.co/AKsGau4DLi
— Enquirer (@Enquirer) August 14, 2024
NASA’s Safety-First Approach
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson emphasized the agency’s commitment to safety in the decision to return Starliner without a crew. “Spaceflight is risky, even at its safest and most routine,” Nelson stated. “A test flight, by nature, is neither safe, nor routine. The decision to keep Butch and Suni aboard the International Space Station and bring Boeing’s Starliner home uncrewed is the result of our commitment to safety: our core value and our North Star.”
“Spaceflight is risky, even at its safest and most routine,” Nelson said at a press briefing on Saturday. He noted that the decision was made in the context of NASA officials knowing that past mistakes had resulted in the loss of two space shuttles and their crews. “Our core value is safety and it is our North Star,” said Nelson.
Technical Challenges and Uncertain Future
The Starliner’s main issues are with its propulsion and parachute systems. The propulsion system has thrusters that aren’t firing as expected due to helium tank leaks, while the parachute system has concerns about deploying correctly during re-entry, risking a crash landing. Steve Stich, manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, explained the complexity of the situation: “There was just too much uncertainty in the prediction of the thrusters.”
“Imagine trying to steer a car, but the steering wheel only works part of the time, and unpredictably so.”
These ongoing issues have led NASA to delay the first operational Starliner mission to August 2025. Meanwhile, SpaceX has been providing reliable taxi services to the ISS since 2020, despite receiving less initial funding than Boeing for its spacecraft development.
Financial Implications and Industry Impact
The troubled Starliner program has had significant financial repercussions. NASA awarded Boeing a $4.2 billion fixed-price contract in September 2014 for Starliner development, testing, certification, and six operational flights to the ISS. However, as of July 2024, Boeing had incurred approximately $1.6 billion in charges related to Starliner. NASA’s total investment in the program now exceeds $5 billion.
As Starliner prepares for its critical re-entry test, the space industry watches closely. The outcome of this mission will likely play a crucial role in determining the future of Boeing’s involvement in NASA’s commercial crew program and the broader landscape of human spaceflight.
