Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft finally undocked from the International Space Station after a long delay, leaving behind the two astronauts that it had brought to orbit in early June. The return to Earth did not go as planned, as it took about six hours for Starliner to touch down at the White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico. This delay in undocking was partly due to the need to gather more data about the spacecraft’s propulsion system, which had been causing issues.
Extended Test Flight
The test flight of Boeing’s Starliner capsule, named “Calypso,” turned out to be much longer than anticipated by NASA. Initially expected to spend only about nine days in space, Starliner ended up spending roughly three months at the ISS due to problems with its thrusters. Despite Boeing’s assurances that the capsule was safe for the astronauts, NASA decided to send Starliner back to Earth empty in order to further investigate the root causes of the spacecraft’s issues.
Setback for Boeing
The extended test flight has been a setback for Boeing in NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. The original plan was to have both Boeing and SpaceX capable of alternating missions to the ISS, but the delays and issues faced by Starliner have put a dent in Boeing’s progress. With over $1.5 billion in losses already absorbed, Boeing’s future involvement in the program is now in question.
The setbacks faced by Boeing’s Starliner capsule have highlighted the challenges of space travel and the importance of thorough testing before sending astronauts into orbit. The delays and issues encountered during the test flight will have long-lasting implications for Boeing’s relationship with NASA and future missions to the International Space Station. It is crucial that all aspects of spacecraft design and operation are thoroughly evaluated to ensure the safety and success of manned space missions in the future.