What Happens to Boeing's Starliner Now?

NASA's Commercial Crew Program Suffers Another Setback

Boeing's Starliner spacecraft has suffered another setback in its quest to carry astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). The spacecraft failed to reach the ISS during its uncrewed Orbital Flight Test-2 (OFT-2) mission, which launched on May 19, 2022.

The OFT-2 mission was intended to be a critical test of the Starliner's systems before it could be certified to carry astronauts. However, the spacecraft experienced a series of technical problems, including a software glitch that prevented it from reaching its intended orbit.

The failure of the OFT-2 mission has raised serious questions about the future of the Starliner program. NASA has already spent billions of dollars on the program, and it is unclear whether it is willing to continue investing in a spacecraft that has repeatedly failed to meet expectations.

Technical Challenges and Safety Concerns

The Starliner has been plagued by technical challenges since its inception. In 2019, the spacecraft's first uncrewed test flight, OFT-1, ended in failure when the spacecraft failed to reach orbit. The OFT-2 mission was intended to be a do-over, but it also failed.

In addition to the technical challenges, the Starliner has also raised safety concerns. In 2021, NASA auditors found that the spacecraft's software was not sufficiently tested and that there were risks to astronaut safety.

The Future of the Starliner Program

The failure of the OFT-2 mission has put the future of the Starliner program in jeopardy. NASA has already spent billions of dollars on the program, and it is unclear whether it is willing to continue investing in a spacecraft that has repeatedly failed to meet expectations.

If NASA decides to continue with the Starliner program, it will likely have to make significant changes to the spacecraft's design and testing procedures. It is also possible that NASA will decide to cancel the program altogether and pursue other options for commercial crew transportation.

NASA's Commercial Crew Program

NASA's Commercial Crew Program is a public-private partnership that aims to develop commercial spacecraft to transport astronauts to and from the ISS. The program is intended to replace the Space Shuttle, which was retired in 2011.

In addition to Boeing's Starliner, the Commercial Crew Program also includes SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft. Crew Dragon has successfully carried astronauts to the ISS on multiple missions, and it is currently the only operational commercial crew spacecraft.

The future of NASA's Commercial Crew Program is uncertain. The failure of the Starliner OFT-2 mission has raised questions about the viability of the program. However, NASA remains committed to the program and is likely to continue pursuing commercial crew transportation options.