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.