Boeing’s Starliner mission has faced setbacks and challenges, but NASA remains committed to its success. After a series of issues during the first crewed test mission in June, NASA has decided to bring the Starliner spacecraft back to Earth in September without a crew. This decision comes after months of data analysis and internal discussions.
Meanwhile, astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams will continue their stay on the International Space Station until February 2025. They will return to Earth on SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft as part of the Crew-9 mission. Although their stay on the ISS will be longer than expected, NASA points out that others have remained on the station for up to 12 months. During this time, Wilmore and Williams will engage in research, station maintenance, and potentially conduct spacewalks.
The issues faced by Boeing’s Starliner during its test mission have been a cause for concern. In the final approach to the ISS, several thrusters went offline, and there were helium leaks in the propulsion system. NASA and Boeing engineers have been conducting tests and root cause analysis to determine the exact reasons for these problems. The incident has raised questions about the reliability of the Starliner spacecraft.
NASA had high hopes for Starliner, investing approximately $4.2 billion in the project through a contract awarded to Boeing in 2014. However, the development of Starliner has faced cost overruns, amounting to over $1.5 billion. In contrast, SpaceX, another commercial crew transportation provider for NASA, successfully completed its certification mission in 2020 and has since conducted eight NASA missions.
Despite the challenges faced by Starliner, NASA emphasized its commitment to working closely with Boeing. During a press conference, NASA leaders dismissed the notion of any loss of trust in the company or the Starliner spacecraft. They described the situation as a “disagreement” over the level of risk. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson highlighted the inherent risks of spaceflight, especially during test missions, and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to safety.
Nelson expressed confidence in the future of Starliner, stating that he is “100 percent” certain the spacecraft will be able to launch a crewed mission to the ISS. While the current situation may seem like a setback, NASA’s collaboration with Boeing continues, with the goal of addressing the issues and ensuring the safety and success of future crewed missions.