- Safety concerns validated: NASA’s decision to leave astronauts off Boeing’s Starliner was confirmed when further issues with the thrusters and guidance system arose during its return to Earth.
- Extended ISS stay: Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, originally scheduled for an eight-day mission, will remain on the ISS for nearly eight months, awaiting a safe return on a SpaceX craft.
- NASA-Boeing tension: The spacecraft’s malfunctions have exposed a growing divide between NASA and Boeing, with questions surrounding the future of their collaboration on manned space missions.
Boeing’s venture into manned spaceflight has faced significant challenges, as evidenced by the issues with its Starliner capsule. Initially designed to carry astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to the International Space Station (ISS) and back, Starliner ended up returning to Earth empty. NASA made the decision not to risk bringing the astronauts back on this craft after problems surfaced, both during its journey and docking at the ISS. The agency’s caution was validated when additional malfunctions occurred during Starliner’s eventual return to Earth.
The return of the Starliner capsule was delayed by almost three months due to complications encountered while it was docked at the ISS. Among these were malfunctions with its thrusters, which posed serious concerns for the safety of the astronauts who were supposed to be aboard. NASA had no choice but to postpone the astronauts’ return, deciding that the risks were too high. Instead, Wilmore and Williams will remain on the ISS until they can catch a ride back on a SpaceX craft next year, a significant extension of their originally planned eight-day mission.
NASA’s decision appears to have been the right one. Upon Starliner’s re-entry, there were additional issues with its thrusters and guidance systems. While the capsule achieved a precise landing, a new thruster failed during descent, and there was a brief blackout of its guidance system. These problems further affirmed NASA’s reluctance to trust the craft with human lives. The events have raised questions about the reliability of Starliner, and NASA’s commercial crew program manager Steve Stich acknowledged the mixed feelings about the mission’s outcome.
The problems with Starliner were already evident when it first docked with the ISS in June, as five out of 28 thrusters failed due to overheating. This malfunction, combined with the high stress the capsule would face during re-entry, made NASA’s decision to avoid risking the lives of the astronauts a prudent one. Boeing, on the other hand, had maintained that it was safe to bring the crew home on Starliner, highlighting the growing gap in perspectives between the aerospace company and NASA.
Tensions between Boeing and NASA have surfaced more visibly in the wake of these issues. During a press conference following Starliner’s landing, NASA officials openly discussed their differing views from Boeing on the safety and handling of the spacecraft. Boeing representatives were notably absent from the panel, choosing not to engage with the media following NASA’s decision to bring Starliner back without its crew. This lack of communication has only fueled speculation about the future of the partnership.
NASA and Boeing were expected to continue working together on future Starliner missions, with the next launch tentatively planned for August 2025. However, the ongoing problems with the spacecraft and the diverging opinions between NASA and Boeing cast doubt over the future of their collaboration. As questions mount about Boeing’s ambitions in space exploration, it remains uncertain whether Starliner will ever regain NASA’s full confidence.
