Boeing’s Starliner Spacecraft to Return Unmanned After Failed Test Flight
Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft is set to return to Earth without astronauts following a problematic first crewed test flight. Engineers identified gas leaks in the propulsion system before launch, prompting NASA to deem the spacecraft too dangerous for astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore.
The malfunctioning thrusters, attached to the service module, will burn up during re-entry, complicating Boeing’s investigation into the issues. This setback adds to the increased scrutiny Boeing faces, particularly in light of its troubled commercial jet business.
To understand the root cause of Starliner’s problems, Boeing initiated tests at the White Sands facility in New Mexico. These tests revealed that a Teflon seal had expanded due to overheating caused by the thruster’s oxidizer propellant. NASA’s commercial crew program manager, Steve Stich, noted that the thrusters operated at higher temperatures than designed.
This latest incident follows a failed uncrewed orbital test flight in 2019, although Boeing did manage a successful docking with the International Space Station in 2022. Stich acknowledged errors in the qualification of the thrusters’ temperature limits, stating, “There were some mistakes made in the qual program.”
The destruction of remaining evidence during re-entry leaves NASA and Boeing uncertain about the next steps. A crew rotation mission is likely more than a year away, as Stich emphasized that the risk of thruster failures with a crew on board was too high to proceed.
This development raises questions about the future of Boeing’s role in NASA’s commercial crew program. In a related development, NASA has announced plans to rescue its stranded astronauts using SpaceX vehicles rather than Boeing’s Starliner, further highlighting the challenges facing the aerospace giant.
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