NASA Grapples with Boeing Starliner Safety Concerns, Delays SpaceX Mission
NASA is currently developing plans to ensure the safe return of astronauts from the International Space Station (ISS) amid concerns over potential malfunctions in the Boeing Starliner spacecraft. Reports from Ars Technica, later confirmed by a NASA spokesperson to Business Insider, suggest that faulty thrusters could cause the spacecraft to spin out of control and potentially collide with the ISS during undocking procedures.
While NASA has not officially commented on these internal discussions, Harvard astronomer Jonathan McDowell explained the risks associated with undocking when thrusters are not functioning properly. The space agency is taking these concerns seriously as it works to address the safety of the Starliner program.
In a related development, NASA announced the postponement of the SpaceX Crew-9 mission to no earlier than September 24. This delay comes as Starliner astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams may face an extended stay on the ISS until 2025 due to ongoing issues with the Boeing spacecraft.
Boeing’s space endeavors have faced additional scrutiny following a recent report from NASA’s watchdog. The report criticized the Space Launch System (SLS), another Boeing project, for exceeding its budget by $700 million. Jonathan McDowell commented on the financial and public relations challenges Boeing is encountering with both the Starliner and SLS programs, predicting that the SLS might see limited use once completed.
As Boeing grapples with these setbacks, questions arise about the company’s ability to weather the mounting negative press. In response to the Starliner concerns, NASA is reportedly considering a contingency plan to use SpaceX capsules for astronaut return journeys, potentially bypassing the problematic Boeing spacecraft.
These developments highlight the ongoing challenges in NASA’s commercial crew program and underscore the importance of safety and reliability in space exploration endeavors.