A decade ago, NASA aimed to end its dependence on Russian spacecraft for transporting astronauts to and from the International Space Station (ISS). To achieve this, NASA awarded Boeing a $4.2 billion contract to develop the Starliner spacecraft, with the goal of conducting up to six crewed missions. SpaceX received a similar contract worth $2.6 billion. Fast forward ten years, and the Starliner program faces significant hurdles. Recently, NASA decided that astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who were launched on Starliner in June, would return aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon, underscoring growing concerns about Starliner’s reliability.
Contract and Operational Concerns
Boeing’s substantial contract with NASA now hangs in the balance. Originally, the contract was meant to cover up to six missions, but so far, NASA has placed firm orders for only three. Despite assurances from Boeing’s new CEO, Kelly Ortberg, that the company remains committed, Boeing faces financial responsibilities under a fixed-price contract. They are required to cover any additional costs to fix the thruster and helium leak issues that emerged during the Crew Flight Test.
Technical Issues: Thruster Failures and Safety
Starliner’s latest mission to the ISS was marred by multiple thruster failures and helium leaks. Although Boeing deemed the spacecraft fit for the return journey, NASA engineers had reservations. The spacecraft’s thrusters, crucial for navigation, overheated and failed as it neared the ISS. As a result, NASA decided it was too risky to use Starliner for the astronauts’ return, opting instead for a SpaceX Crew Dragon. Wilmore and Williams will remain on the ISS for eight months before returning with SpaceX.
NASA and Boeing have differing opinions on Starliner’s safety. According to Jim Free, NASA’s Associate Administrator, the decision to exclude Starliner from the return flight was based on NASA’s comprehensive risk assessment. The potential for further thruster issues during the return journey led NASA to prioritize the astronauts’ safety, a decision rooted in lessons learned from past spaceflight tragedies.
Financial and Developmental Strains
Boeing has already incurred $1.6 billion in costs due to delays and overruns with the Starliner program. These costs are likely to rise as Boeing works on redesigning parts of the spacecraft to address the thruster problems. The financial strain reflects broader development challenges as Boeing strives to meet NASA’s demanding safety and performance standards.
NASA has invested $5.1 billion in Starliner, with most of the funds already spent. The path forward for Starliner remains unclear, especially after NASA’s recent decision to use SpaceX for the astronauts’ return. Boeing had hoped to begin operational crew rotations by August 2025, but this timeline now seems unrealistic, with a likely delay until at least 2026.
Historical Lessons and Future Prospects
NASA’s decision to prioritize astronaut safety highlights a commitment to avoiding past mistakes. The tragic losses of the Space Shuttle Columbia in 2003 and Challenger in 1986 underscore the critical need to address technical issues thoroughly before proceeding. NASA officials, informed by these past tragedies, emphasize rigorous safety measures to prevent future incidents.
The future of Starliner depends on Boeing’s ability to resolve current technical and financial challenges. If successful, Starliner might still contribute to NASA’s crewed missions, but its role could be limited by the ISS’s retirement timeline and SpaceX’s dominant position. SpaceX’s proven track record places Boeing under pressure to deliver on its commitments.
