- On June 5th, two astronauts set off for the International Space Station aboard a new Boeing spacecraft.
- The spacecraft was scheduled to return eight days later, but was delayed due to thruster problems and a helium leak.
- NASA and Boeing say there’s no need to worry and that astronauts are busy working.
The good news for Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft is that it’s finally carried humans into low Earth orbit. The problem is, it hasn’t landed a human on Earth yet. And it may be a while before we do.
The problems that led to astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams’ extended stay at the International Space Station were the culmination of years of deficiencies that had caused Starliner delays. NPR reported July 3. According to the media, the spacecraft was leaking helium, which is part of its propulsion system, causing problems with a small number of thrusters.
During a telephone press conference late last month, NASA’s Steve Sych said the space agency was going to put the thrusters through rigorous testing on the ground to replicate the problems observed in space. He said the tests could begin on July 2 and last “several weeks.”
“I want to be clear that Butch and Suni are not stranded in space,” Sytch said. “They are safe on the space station, the spacecraft is running smoothly, and they are enjoying their time aboard the space station.”
The delay underscores how Boeing has been overtaken by SpaceX, which launched NASA’s eighth crewed flight into orbit in March. Elon Musk’s rival is also gaining ground on the national security front. The Wall Street Journal reported. On July 1, it was announced that it would launch more spy satellites and other sensitive cargo into space than United Launch Alliance, a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin.
In addition to ground tests, NASA has been testing Starliner’s thrusters and systems while it’s docked to the ISS. Wilmore and Williams are not on their own, but are joining Russian and American astronauts who are there on existing missions, and NASA officials said there are no shortages or rushes.
Still, the delay highlights Boeing’s business problems. The company’s commercial planes business has been under regulatory scrutiny since a door plug on an Alaska Airlines plane exploded in January, and Reuters and other reports have said the U.S. Department of Justice is preparing criminal charges related to the fatal crashes of its 737 Max jets.
Bank of America analyst Ron Epstein told NPR that the company is focused on making profits for investors at the expense of its “core engineering business.”
Musk tweeted a similar criticism in May.
“Boeing has too many non-technical managers,” he wrote.