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.

Outlines

00:00

🚀 Starliner's Extended Mission and Challenges

The Boeing Starliner has been in space for over 50 days, significantly exceeding its initial planned duration of eight days. This has raised concerns about the spacecraft's future, with Boeing and NASA facing substantial challenges in maintaining the project. Despite numerous troubleshooting efforts and tests, Starliner is still not ready to set a return date for its first manned test flight, which has been repeatedly delayed. The spacecraft's issues are more serious than initially anticipated, and there are speculations that Boeing may consider abandoning the project. NASA's reaction to the situation has been cautious, avoiding acknowledging the main issues, possibly to protect Boeing and the public's confidence in the program. The future of Starliner is uncertain, with financial and technical difficulties, as well as competition from rivals like SpaceX, casting doubt on its long-term viability.

05:01

🔬 Investigating Starliner's Technical Issues

Boeing and NASA have been conducting extensive tests to understand the unexpected shutdown of Starliner's thrusters and the associated risks. Ground tests in New Mexico have helped recreate the conditions that led to the thrusters' deterioration during flight, suggesting that heat buildup may have caused Teflon seals to bulge and restrict propellant flow. These findings have led to the abandonment of plans for astronauts to manually fly the spacecraft on its return journey. The ongoing investigation into the helium leaks that affected the initial leg of Starliner's journey has also been a focus, with the possibility of degraded seals due to exposure to propellant vapor identified as a potential cause. The need to understand the stability and management of these leaks is critical for determining a safe return date for the astronauts aboard the International Space Station. Despite the progress in understanding the issues, a definitive return plan for the Starliner and its crew remains uncertain.

Keywords

💡Starliner

The Boeing Starliner is a spacecraft designed for crewed missions to the International Space Station (ISS). In the context of the video, it is central to the narrative as it has exceeded its planned duration in space, leading to questions about the project's viability and future. The script mentions issues with the Starliner, such as thruster problems and helium leaks, which have contributed to delays and uncertainty about its return to Earth.

💡NASA

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is the U.S. government agency responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research. In the video, NASA is a key player in the Starliner project, working alongside Boeing to address the spacecraft's issues. The script discusses NASA's reactions and decisions regarding the ongoing situation with the Starliner, including the delay in setting a return date for the astronauts.

💡Boeing

Boeing is an American multinational corporation known for aerospace and defense, and it is the company that developed the Starliner spacecraft. The term is used in the script to discuss the company's challenges with the Starliner project, its potential consideration of abandoning the project, and its financial implications.

💡Spacecraft

A spacecraft is a vehicle or machine designed for space travel. The term is used throughout the script to refer to the Starliner, emphasizing the technical issues it has encountered, such as thruster malfunctions and helium leaks, which have affected its mission.

💡International Space Station (ISS)

The ISS is a space station, or a habitable artificial satellite, in low Earth orbit. It is a multinational collaborative project involving five space agencies. The script mentions the ISS as the destination for the Starliner's mission and the current location of the astronauts on board.

💡Thrust

In the context of spaceflight, thrust refers to the force that propels a vehicle, in this case, the Starliner spacecraft. The script discusses issues with the Starliner's thrusters, which unexpectedly shut down, causing significant delays and concerns for the mission.

💡Helium leaks

Helium leaks are mentioned in the script as one of the problems encountered by the Starliner during its mission. These leaks could potentially affect the spacecraft's systems and are being investigated as a cause for concern by both NASA and Boeing.

💡Commercial Crew Program

The Commercial Crew Program is a NASA initiative to facilitate the development of crewed spacecraft by private companies. The script refers to this program in discussing the partnership between NASA and Boeing for the Starliner project and the challenges they face in meeting their objectives.

💡Astronauts

Astronauts are individuals trained and qualified to travel in space. The script specifically mentions NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunni Williams, who are aboard the Starliner, and the uncertainty surrounding their return to Earth due to the spacecraft's issues.

💡SpaceX

SpaceX is an American aerospace manufacturer and space transportation company that has been a competitor in the commercial spaceflight industry. The script suggests that if the Starliner project fails, SpaceX, with its Dragon spacecraft, could be the alternative for NASA to safely return astronauts to Earth.

💡Test Flight

A test flight is a mission conducted to evaluate the performance and safety of a new aircraft or spacecraft. The Starliner's current mission is referred to as its first manned test flight in the script, highlighting the experimental nature of the mission and the importance of the data being collected.

Highlights

Starliner has spent over 50 days in space, far exceeding the initial plan of about eight days, raising questions about the spacecraft's future.

Boeing and NASA are facing significant challenges in maintaining the Starliner project, with increasing difficulties.

Boeing is considering giving up on the Starliner project due to the prolonged heavy losses and technical problems.

NASA's reaction to the current situation is to continue troubleshooting and testing to simulate the issues occurring with the Starliner.

Starliner's return to Earth has been repeatedly delayed, with the earliest expected return now in August.

The issues with Starliner are more serious than initially anticipated, and the main issues were not mentioned in the press conference.

NASA and Boeing may be trying to cover up deeper problems with the Starliner to protect public confidence and Boeing's reputation.

NASA believes they are well equipped to handle the unusual events and challenges of the Starliner test mission.

If Starliner fails to return astronauts safely, SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft may be the alternative means to bring them home.

Boeing's Starliner shows no profit and the company has to bear the cost themselves as the government can no longer fund them.

Boeing's financial strength lies in its commercial aircraft business, not in the space sector.

Boeing's agreement to sell ULA indicates a lack of focus in their space sector, suggesting the Starliner program may be the next step.

Engineers have made headway in understanding the helium leaks that hampered the first leg of Starliner's journey.

Additional testing of the vehicle in space will include the firing of 27 Starliner thrusters while docked at the ISS.

The helium leaks may be a result of seals degraded by exposure to propellant vapor, with a natural fix being to change the seal material.

NASA and Boeing are working to determine if the leaks on board the Starliner in space have gotten worse.

A review to plan for Starliner's undocking could come as late as next week, according to NASA.

Transcripts

Starliner has spent over 50 days in

space far exceeding the initial plan of

just about eight days that's more than

six times the expected period and this

raises lots of questions about the

future of the spacecraft Boeing and NASA

are likely facing significant challenges

in maintaining the Starliner project

with increasing difficulties is Boeing

considering giving up on this project

and how has NASA reacted to the current

situation let's find out more in today's

episode of alphatech after many weeks of

troubleshooting and test to simulate the

issues occurring with Boeing Starliner

spacecraft the latest press conference

on 25th revealed that the results from

NASA and Boeing are unchanged Starliner

is still not ready to set a return date

for the two astronauts on its first man

test flight we don't have a major

announcement today relative to uh to a

return date said NASA commercial crew

program manager Steve Stitch starliners

return to Earth has been repeatedly

delayed since its initial plan re-entry

about a week after launch it was then

pushed no earlier than June 18th then

June 22nd then June 25th now Late July

now Starliner and its crew aren't

expected back until August at the

earliest this is an outcome that

disappoints almost everyone but it's

clear we anticipated this the issues

with Starliner are not trivial they have

become or perhaps were from the

beginning more serious than ever

honestly I don't want to think this way

but looking at the press conference

about Bow's First Flight it seems

evident that NASA and Boeing never

mentioned the main issues kind of like

they're trying to cover up deeper

problems perhaps officials fear that

openly admitting the current journey is

too risky or would spur more Sensational

as news or maybe NASA's leaders just

want to protect Boeing after all they do

plan to send up more crews on styliner

and any sign of disappointment from the

space agency could erode public

confidence in their already troubled

contractor NASA would do better if they

embrace the uncertainty instead of

avoiding it to borrow a mantra from the

agency itself the first man flight of

Starliner is a test mission unusual

events predictable and NASA believes

that they are well equipped to handle

them but no matter what only time's

going to tell if NASA and Boeing can't

step it up they're going to have to turn

to Alternative means to safely bring the

astronauts back home and no one can do

this but SpaceX if this happens

Starliner will officially face a

disastrous failure in its entire

development program and its future will

be of course there will be no future

Starliner is still too flawed to

continue with man missions to the ISS

however even if Starliner succeeds in

the return its future development is

Frau with difficulties and it still has

the potential to get canceled why is

that well we can see that there are not

many Boeing officials speaking up to

defend their ship space is just a part

of Boeing's defense space and security

business unit and in Boeing's Revenue by

sector in 2023 BDS just generated 32% of

the company's Revenue at nearly 25

billion bucks it's worth noting that $25

billion are also made up of non-space

activities like like contracts for the

military helicopters fighter jets and

Munitions meanwhile the company's

Financial strength lies in its

commercial aircraft business which

brought in nearly 33 billion or 44% of

2023 is revenue when Boeing's commercial

planes encountered a series of troubles

costing the company at least $32 billion

since 2019 and no end in sight it was a

major blow to the over 100y old firm

economically Boeing Starliner shows no

profit with prolonged heavy losses and

the company has to bear the cost

themselves as the government can no

longer fund them this is not to mention

other issues like technical problems

with the spacecraft which are very

difficult for Boeing to solve even down

the road and competition in the launch

market with dominant Rivals like SpaceX

is Dragon these points rais questions

about the future of Boeing Starliner

spacecraft manufacturing Niche overall I

assess that Starliner program does not

have a long-term path even if Boeing has

to abandon Starliner it's not going to

be significantly impacted financially

this is provided that the company

fulfills the six missions assigned under

the commercial crew contract that was

awarded by NASA on the other hand NASA

needs to recognize Boeing no longer

wants St to compete and should therefore

focus on collabing with SpaceX to

further develop the dragon spacecraft

Boeing's also shown a lack of focus in

their space sector as evidenced by their

agreement to sell Ula a joint venture

rocket manufacturing and launch company

is a first step the Starliner program

will be the next step so what do you

think of this speculation please leave

your thoughts in the comments down below

and while you're at it make sure you

like And subscribe to our Channel all

right in addition to the announcement

that there's no return date for the two

astronauts the press conference 25th

from NASA and Boeing's leadership also

gave us some possible answers about the

causes of starliners problems in the

first leg of this journey including

helium leaks and thrusters suddenly

dropping on the way to the ISS these

Revelations came after Boeing and NASA

spent the last few weeks investigating

the real issues and planning for

additional test which will serve as a

highlight to better understand the

problem said Mark nappy Boeing's

commercial crew program director at a

site in New Mexico Engineers fired test

engines more than a thousand times

replicating how the thrusters on the

spacebound Starliner would have ignited

they then fired the Thruster to try out

several ways the engines might fire on

the way home from space according to

Boeing the goal of this testing was to

gain a better understanding of why the

spacecraft's thrusters unexpectedly shut

down and what if any dangers are

associated with turning those thrusters

back on officials said that they were

able to recreate how the thrusters in

space deteriorated during flight with

the ground tests the testing may have

helped give Engineers a better

understanding of the issues root cause

heat building up inside the thrusters

may be causing Teflon seals to bulge

restricting the flow of propellant the

testing has given us additional

confidence to undock and return nappy

said the findings also prompted Boeing

and NASA to abandon plans to allow

astronauts to manually fly the Starliner

spacecraft on the way home as they did

brief briefly on the way up to the ISS

some of the manual maneuvering put some

extra stress on the thrusters Stitch

said still officials did not

definitively say Thursday that Starliner

spacecraft is what carried veteran NASA

astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunni

Williams to the space station and if it'

be the same vehicle that brought him

back home there's a lot of good reasons

to complete this Mission and bring Butch

and Sunni home on Starliner said after

noting that NASA does have contingency

options if Starliner does not get the

approval to bring the astronauts back we

need to get through the process he added

we have another critical styliner

Mission management team to review all

the Thruster data we just talked about

of course I'm very confident we have a

good vehicle to bring the crew back with

nappy said Williams and will Moore

arrived at the International Space

Station June 6th for what was expected

to be a roughly week-long Mission as of

Thursday the astronauts have been in

space for about 50 days NASA has

indicated that starlander can stay in

space for a maximum of 90 days

separately Engineers have made Headway

in understanding helium leaks that

hampered the first leg of Starliner

Journey but Boeing and nasso will take a

close look at the issue again during

additional testing of the vehicle in

space though it will continue this

weekend Stitch said the testing will

include the firing of 27 Starliner

thrusters while the vehicle remains

docked at the ISS analysis of components

on the ground specifically a version of

the Starliner service module that's been

sitting in White Sands New Mexico for 3

years has showed that the helium leaks

may be a result of seals that have got

gotten degraded because of exposure to

propellant Vapor according to nappy the

natural fix is to just change that seal

out to a material that's not so

susceptible to being worn down by

exposure by the propellent nappy said

referring to possible changes that

Boeing can make for future Starliner

missions still ahead however is work to

determine whether the leaks on board the

Starliner that's already in space have

gotten worse as the vehicles remain

docked at the ISS because the service

module that's the portion of the

spacecraft plagued by the helium leaks

on the ground was exposed to propel it

for so long na be said it could offer a

worst case understanding of how badly

the seals can be degraded the ongoing

effort to understand the helium leak is

among the chief reasons why NASA and

boing still aren't able to give us a

return date for Williams and Wilmore or

a definitive answer on whether Starliner

is ready to fly him back home the key

attributes of the flight rationale

really are that we understand the helium

leaks we understand the stability of the

leaks and how we can manage those should

they get bigger Stitch said referring to

the possibility that the leaks of

affecting the Starliner service module

May worson NASA and Boeing plan to carry

out a review to plan for starliners

undocking which could come as late next

week according to stitch we certainly

hope that works out and that's all for

today's episode thanks for watching and

see you next time