Is Boeing Giving Up On Starliner??? NASA Says Something Weird Happening on Starliner...

Summary

The Boeing Starliner spacecraft has faced significant delays, spending over 50 days in space, six times longer than planned. NASA and Boeing are grappling with technical issues, including thruster malfunctions and helium leaks, which have postponed the return of two astronauts on Starliner's first manned test flight. Despite extensive testing, a return date remains uncertain, casting doubt on the program's future and prompting discussions about potential reliance on SpaceX for astronaut return missions. Financial strains and technical challenges for Boeing, along with competition from SpaceX, raise questions about the Starliner's long-term viability.

Takeaways

• 🚀 The Boeing Starliner spacecraft has been in space for over 50 days, exceeding its initial planned duration by six times.
• 🔍 NASA and Boeing are facing significant challenges with the Starliner project, with its readiness for a return date still uncertain.
• 🤔 There are concerns about whether Boeing might consider abandoning the Starliner project due to mounting difficulties.
• 📅 The return of the Starliner and its crew has been delayed multiple times, with the earliest expected return now pushed to August.
• 💡 The issues with the Starliner are serious and may have been underestimated from the start, suggesting deeper problems that were not openly discussed.
• 🛰️ NASA and Boeing have been conducting extensive tests to understand the issues with the spacecraft, including thruster malfunctions and helium leaks.
• 🔧 Test results indicate that heat buildup inside the thrusters may be causing Teflon seals to bulge, restricting propellant flow, and engineers are working on solutions.
• 🛑 The manual flying of the Starliner by astronauts has been abandoned due to the stress it puts on the thrusters.
• 💡 Despite the delays and issues, NASA remains confident in the Starliner's ability to return the astronauts safely to Earth, with contingency plans in place.
• 💼 Boeing's financial strength lies primarily in its commercial aircraft business, with the Starliner and defense space sector contributing less to overall revenue.
• 🔮 The future of the Starliner program is uncertain, with the potential for cancellation if ongoing issues cannot be resolved, and competition from rivals like SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft.

Q & A

How long has the Starliner spacecraft been in space, exceeding its initial plan?

The Starliner has spent over 50 days in space, which is more than six times the initial plan of just about eight days.

What challenges are Boeing and NASA facing with the Starliner project?

Boeing and NASA are facing significant challenges in maintaining the Starliner project due to increasing difficulties and delays, which have raised questions about the future of the spacecraft.

What is the current status of the Starliner's return date for the first manned test flight?

As of the press conference on the 25th, there is no set return date for the two astronauts on the first manned test flight, with the earliest expected return now in late August.

What issues have been identified with the Starliner's thrusters during the mission?

The Starliner's thrusters have unexpectedly shut down during the mission, and testing has suggested that heat building up inside the thrusters may be causing Teflon seals to bulge, restricting the flow of propellant.

How has NASA reacted to the current situation with the Starliner?

NASA has been cautious, avoiding major announcements regarding a return date and focusing on troubleshooting and testing to simulate the issues occurring with the Starliner spacecraft.

What is the financial impact of the Starliner program on Boeing?

The Starliner program is part of Boeing's Defense, Space & Security business unit, which generated 32% of the company's revenue in 2023. However, the program shows no profit with prolonged heavy losses.

What are the potential consequences if Boeing decides to give up on the Starliner project?

If Boeing decides to give up on the Starliner project, it could face a disastrous failure in its entire development program, and its future in the spacecraft manufacturing niche could be uncertain.

What is NASA's contingency plan if the Starliner is not ready to bring the astronauts back home?

NASA has not definitively stated their contingency plan, but it is suggested that they may have to turn to alternative means, such as SpaceX, to safely bring the astronauts back home.

What additional testing has been conducted to understand the issues with the Starliner?

Boeing and NASA have conducted ground tests, firing test engines more than a thousand times to replicate how the thrusters on the spacebound Starliner would have ignited, and to understand why they unexpectedly shut down.

What is the maximum duration that the Starliner can stay in space according to NASA?

NASA has indicated that the Starliner can stay in space for a maximum of 90 days.

What are the findings from the analysis of the Starliner's service module that has been sitting in White Sands, New Mexico?

The analysis showed that the helium leaks may be a result of seals that have degraded because of exposure to propellant vapor, suggesting that changing the seal to a material less susceptible to wear could be a solution.