SpaceX Completing a Boeing Mission: NASA’s Backup Plan, Explained | WSJ

Summary

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore face an extended stay on the International Space Station due to issues with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft. Amidst technical challenges and safety concerns, NASA considers using SpaceX's Crew Dragon to bring them home in February 2025. This situation highlights Boeing's decade-long struggle with Starliner development, contrasting with SpaceX's successful missions, and raises questions about Boeing's financial and reputational recovery in the aerospace industry.

Takeaways

• 🚀 NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore's eight-day mission to the International Space Station may extend to over eight months due to issues with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft.
• 🛰️ The crew is expected to return to Earth on a SpaceX spacecraft in February 2025, which is a competitor to Boeing, adding to the complexity of the situation.
• 🔧 Boeing has been facing technical challenges with the Starliner program since 2019, including thruster malfunctions and helium leaks during a critical docking phase with the ISS.
• 🛑 The safety of the astronauts has led to multiple delays in the return of the Starliner, with NASA pushing the return date to February 2025 to assess and mitigate risks.
• 🤔 There is ongoing debate and uncertainty regarding the risks that Starliner may pose to the astronauts if used for their return journey.
• 🔄 NASA considered using SpaceX as an alternative to bring the astronauts home, highlighting the backup role envisioned for multiple American companies in space missions.
• 📈 The development of Starliner has been plagued with delays and financial struggles for Boeing, with over $1.4 billion in charges or losses related to the program.
• 🆚 The contrast between Boeing's Starliner and SpaceX's Crew Dragon is stark, with SpaceX having successfully completed nine missions for NASA, including test flights.
• 💼 The fixed-price agreements with NASA incentivize contractors to perform well and stay under budget, but Boeing has struggled to meet these financial expectations with Starliner.
• 🔄 The shift to SpaceX to complete the mission reflects a tough outcome for Boeing, which has a long history with NASA, and signals a potential change in the space industry's landscape.
• 🌟 Despite setbacks, the situation presents an opportunity for Boeing to demonstrate resilience and recovery from adversity, a hallmark of a strong team in the aerospace industry.

Q & A

Why might NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore have to extend their stay on the International Space Station?

They may have to stay for over eight months due to problems with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft, which was supposed to bring them back to Earth after an eight-day mission.

What is the alternative plan for the return of the astronauts if the Boeing Starliner is not used?

NASA announced that the crew will return to Earth on a spacecraft from SpaceX, Boeing's competitor, in February of 2025.

What were the two main problems encountered during the Starliner's flight to the International Space Station?

The two main problems were thruster failures that affected the spacecraft's maneuvering during docking, and helium leaks which are used to pressurize the propulsion system.

How did NASA initially respond to the Starliner's problems?

NASA considered returning Starliner as early as June 14th but delayed the return several times, eventually pushing the return date to February 2025.

What is the significance of having two American companies, Boeing and SpaceX, developing spacecraft for NASA?

NASA wanted two different American companies to back each other up, ensuring continuous flights and missions to the Space Station even if one company encounters issues.

How has SpaceX's Crew Dragon development compared to Boeing's Starliner?

SpaceX has successfully flown nine different missions for NASA, including their test flight, while Boeing has faced significant struggles and delays with the Starliner program.

What financial implications has the Starliner program had on Boeing?

Boeing has disclosed more than 1.4 billion in charges or losses related to the Starliner program, raising questions about the return on their investment.

What is the fixed price agreement that NASA signed with Boeing and SpaceX for the development of the spacecraft?

The fixed price agreement is a contract where NASA and the company agree on a set number, and it's up to the company to stay under that number, incentivizing them to perform well and make a profit.

How does the current situation with the Starliner reflect on Boeing's historical relationship with NASA?

The situation is a tough outcome for Boeing, which has had deep ties with NASA dating back to the Apollo moon landings, and it signals a potential changing of the guard in the space industry.

What is the perspective of an astronaut on the challenges faced by Boeing with the Starliner program?

An astronaut might view it as an opportunity for Boeing to demonstrate resilience and recovery from adversity, emphasizing the importance of a good team's ability to bounce back.

How does the script describe the current state of the Starliner program and its impact on Boeing's reputation?

The script describes the Starliner program as facing a lot of uncertainty and technical challenges, which might not look good for Boeing, especially when compared to SpaceX's success, affecting the perception of Boeing in the aerospace industry.

Outlines

00:00

🚀 NASA Astronauts' Extended ISS Mission Due to Starliner Issues

The script discusses the predicament of two NASA astronauts, Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore, who are facing an extended stay on the International Space Station due to technical issues with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft. The mission, initially planned for eight days, may now last over eight months. NASA has announced that the astronauts will return to Earth using a SpaceX spacecraft in February 2025. The Starliner program has been plagued with uncertainties and technical challenges since 2019, including thruster malfunctions and helium leaks during its flight to the ISS. Despite a safe arrival at the ISS, the problems raised concerns about the safety of the return journey, leading to multiple delays and the consideration of SpaceX as an alternative for the return mission.

05:01

💼 Financial and Perceptional Impacts of Boeing's Starliner Challenges

This paragraph delves into the financial and reputational implications for Boeing due to the ongoing issues with the Starliner spacecraft. Boeing has incurred over $1.4 billion in charges and losses related to the program, raising doubts about any return on investment. The situation is particularly challenging as NASA has turned to SpaceX to complete the mission, reflecting a shift in the space industry's landscape. Historically, Boeing had expected to be the first to transport astronauts to and from the ISS, but the current circumstances have not aligned with those expectations. The narrative also touches on the resilience required in space missions, suggesting that this is an opportunity for Boeing to recover from adversity, despite the initial plans not unfolding as desired.

Keywords

💡NASA

NASA, or the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, is the United States government agency responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research. In the video, NASA is central to the narrative as it oversees the space missions involving the International Space Station and the spacecraft, including Boeing's Starliner and SpaceX's Crew Dragon.

💡International Space Station (ISS)

The International Space Station is a habitable artificial satellite in low Earth orbit, a collaborative project between multiple countries. It serves as a research laboratory and living space for astronauts. In the video, the ISS is the destination for the astronauts aboard the Boeing Starliner spacecraft, and the place where they are currently stationed due to the mission extension.

💡Boeing Starliner

The Boeing Starliner is a spacecraft developed by Boeing as part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program. It is designed to transport astronauts to and from the ISS. The video discusses the technical issues faced by Starliner, which have led to delays in its mission and raised concerns about its safety for returning astronauts to Earth.

💡SpaceX

SpaceX is a private aerospace manufacturer and space transportation company founded by Elon Musk. It has been contracted by NASA to develop the Crew Dragon spacecraft for crewed space missions. In the context of the video, SpaceX is highlighted as a competitor to Boeing, with its Crew Dragon spacecraft being considered as an alternative for returning astronauts to Earth.

💡Technical Challenges

Technical challenges refer to the difficulties and obstacles encountered in the development, testing, and operation of technological systems. The video outlines the numerous technical issues Boeing has faced with the Starliner, such as thruster malfunctions and helium leaks, which have complicated the spacecraft's mission.

💡Thrust

In the context of space travel, thrust is the force that propels a vehicle, generated by the expulsion of exhaust gases. The video mentions that Starliner's thrusters, used for maneuvering the spacecraft, experienced temporary failures during docking with the ISS, which is a critical aspect of the mission's success.

💡Helium Leaks

Helium leaks refer to the unintended escape of helium gas from a pressurized system. In the video, it is mentioned that the Starliner's propulsion system, which uses helium to pressurize, had several leaks detected during the flight. This is a significant safety concern as it could affect the spacecraft's operation and the safety of the astronauts.

💡Risk Assessment

Risk assessment is the process of identifying, analyzing, and evaluating risks associated with a particular activity or system. The video discusses how NASA has been debating the risks posed by the Starliner's technical issues to the astronauts' safety, which has led to the consideration of using SpaceX's Crew Dragon for the return mission.

💡Fixed Price Agreements

Fixed price agreements are contracts where the contractor agrees to complete a project for a set price, regardless of the actual costs incurred. The video explains that NASA signed such agreements with Boeing and SpaceX, incentivizing them to perform well and stay within budget. However, Boeing has faced significant financial challenges with the Starliner program.

💡Commercial Crew Program

The Commercial Crew Program is a NASA initiative to facilitate the development of privately operated spacecraft for crewed missions to the ISS. The video highlights the program's goal of having multiple American companies capable of transporting astronauts, which is relevant to the current situation where SpaceX may be used as an alternative to Boeing's Starliner.

💡Aerospace Industry

The aerospace industry encompasses the development and manufacturing of aircraft and spacecraft. The video suggests a changing of the guard within this industry, with Boeing facing challenges and SpaceX emerging as a successful competitor. This reflects broader trends and shifts in the sector, with private companies like SpaceX playing an increasingly prominent role.

Highlights

Two NASA astronauts, Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore, might extend their eight-day mission to over eight months due to issues with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft.

NASA announced that the crew's return to Earth will be on a SpaceX spacecraft in February 2025, a competitor to Boeing.

There is significant uncertainty surrounding the future of the Starliner program.

Boeing has faced technical challenges with the Starliner since 2019.

The Starliner's maiden flight on June 5th was marred by technical problems.

Two main issues during the flight were thruster malfunctions and helium leaks in the propulsion system.

Despite problems, the crew safely arrived at the International Space Station.

NASA considered returning the Starliner as early as June 14th but faced delays until February 2025.

NASA debated the risks Starliner posed to the astronauts, Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore.

In August, NASA considered using SpaceX to return the astronauts home.

Boeing insists that Starliner is ready and safe to transport the astronauts back to Earth.

Boeing has been working on Starliner for over a decade with numerous delays.

The development of SpaceX's Crew Dragon has been more successful compared to Boeing's Starliner.

Boeing has incurred over 1.4 billion in charges or losses related to the Starliner program.

NASA's decision to use SpaceX for the mission's completion is a significant setback for Boeing.

Boeing's ties to NASA date back to the Apollo moon landings, and the current situation is a change in the space industry's guard.

The astronauts, Barry and Sunny, are prepared to return home when it is safe to do so.

Transcripts

(upbeat music)

- [Narrator] Two NASA astronauts, Sunita Williams,

and Barry Wilmore,

who traveled to the International Space Station

on an eight day mission,

could now end up staying there for over eight months

because of problems with Boeing Starliner spacecraft.

To add insult to injury,

NASA announced that the crew will return to earth

on a spacecraft from Boeing's competitor SpaceX

in February of 2025.

- There's just a lot of uncertainty

about what happens to the Starliner program.

- You know, this might not look good right now,

but we don't know the end of it yet.

- [Narrator] Here's a breakdown of Boeing's Starliner Saga

and what it could mean for the aerospace giant.

- Boeing has faced a lot of technical challenges

with developing this vehicle all the way back to,

you know, 2019.

- [Announcer] One, ignition and lift off of Starliner

and Atlas Fine.

- [Narrator] When Starliner did finally take off

on June 5th,

more technical problems disrupted the flight.

- [Michah] There are two main kind of buckets of problems

that came up during Starliner's flight

to the International Space Station.

One relates to thrusters that are used

to maneuver the spacecraft.

A handful of them temporarily failed

as the vehicle was docking, you know,

with the space station.

And then the second bucket of problems are helium leaks.

Helium is used to pressurize the the propulsion system

and NASA and Boeing discovered several leaks

on board that system, you know, during the flight.

- [Narrator] The crew did manage to arrive

at the International Space Station safely.

- And followed shortly behind by commander

of Starliner Barry Wilmore.

- [Narrator] But Starliner's problems

raised concerns at NASA.

The agency talked about returning Starliner

as early as June 14th,

but NASA delayed the return several times.

On August 7th NASA said that the return date could be pushed

to February, 2025.

- NASA has been debating risk basically

and how much risk does Starliner pose

to the astronauts, Barry Wilmore or Sunita Williams?

I'm not sure that NASA has had to make a call,

make a decision in the face of uncertainty

about a human space flight program

with humans on orbit and human lives potentially at stake

in a really long time.

- [Narrator] In early August,

NASA said it was considering tapping SpaceX

to ferry the astronauts back home.

SpaceX didn't respond to a request for comment.

- Boeing has said, just sort of simply put

that Starliner is ready to go

and the the data supports using Starliner

to take the two astronauts back to back to earth.

NASA has been in this kind of intense, you know,

one leader there recently too

called it vigorous like debate about the risks

that Starliner may pose to the two astronauts

if it is used to ferry them back to earth spacecraft.

- [Narrator] Long before this current Starliner mission,

the spacecraft development was dogged by problems.

- Boeing has been working on Starliner

for more than a decade,

and the program has been beset, you know, with delays.

(engine roaring)

- [Announcer] Lift off.

- [Narrator] Starliner was born out of the end

of NASA's space shuttle program in 2011.

Shortly after that, the agency hired Boeing

and SpaceX to each independently develop spacecraft

to ferry astronauts to and from the Space Station.

- NASA wanted to have two different American companies

to basically back each other up.

If something happens with, with one company,

the other could be right there to continue the flights,

continue the missions, continue the science.

- You never want to just have one option, you know,

that's what we found with the space shuttle way back when,

you know, when we had the first accident,

there was a lot put into one vehicle.

So it having a second option is really important

and we're seeing it now

because even though we're having some issues

and delays with the Starliner,

we're still able to at least carry on

the operations of the Space Station

by using the Crew Dragon.

- [Narrator] Boeing's struggles with Starliner

contrasts sharply

with the development of SpaceX's Crew Dragon,

- [Michah] SpaceX has now flown

nine different missions for NASA

that includes their test flight.

You know, a few years ago, Boeing has flown half, you know,

call it half of one,

I mean, they've taken astronauts up to the Space station,

no easy feat, but have not, you know, brought them back yet.

- I think right now it's a tough time for Boeing.

There's no doubt about it.

Maybe it makes it a little harder,

at least the optics of it,

because the perception now is that, you know,

SpaceX is running things splendidly, you know,

they're having a lot of success

and I think it's, the game's not over yet.

- [Narrator] When NASA selected Boeing

and SpaceX to develop the Starliner

and Crew Dragon Spacecrafts,

the agency signed fixed price agreements

with each contractor.

- The company and NASA agree to a number,

and then it's up to the company to come up with a way

to stay under that number.

The idea is you're incentivizing your contractor to,

you know, perform well so they can make some money.

Boeing has struggled financially with Starliner.

They've disclosed more than 1.4 billion in charges

or losses related to the program,

and there, there's some real questions about like whether

the company is gonna ever, you know, see any return

from years and years of investment.

- [Narrator] That NASA has now turned to SpaceX

to complete the mission is a tough outcome for Boeing,

which has deep ties to NASA

that date to the Apollo moon landings.

- If you look back at executive commentary from Boeing,

you know, years ago, folks there thought

that they would be first

that Boeing would beat SpaceX

to transport NASA astronauts to and from

the International Space Station.

And it obviously has not worked out the way, they,

many executives and leaders

at Boeing thought it would,

it kind of signals a changing of the guard

in the space industry.

- Yeah, it's not all roses, you know,

you have ups and downs.

That's the way life is.

And I think from the experience I've had as an astronaut,

I think it's really the mark of a good team

to be able to recover from that,

and how do you recover from that adversity?

So I think it's an opportunity for Boeing.

They didn't plan this, they didn't want this to happen.

They much rather have brought them home in eight days.

Okay, next, you know, and move on.

But that didn't happen that way.

- We'll be happy to go back home when

it's our time to go back home.

- But you can't do this on earth.

So this is, this makes it special.

- [Announcer] Barry, Sunny, we're looking forward

to welcome you back here on Earth.