The failed test flight of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, during which NASA astronauts were “trapped” on the ISS for a long nine months, was not the end of the story. The agency has not given up on the ambitious project and is already considering the next test flight.
On June 5, the Starliner holding astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams launched to the ISS. But already on its way to the station, five engines malfunctioned and a helium leak was detected. After analyzing the risks, NASA decided not to return the crew to Earth on the Starliner. A competitor, SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule, came to the rescue and successfully evacuated the astronauts.
Despite the incident, NASA plans to give Starliner another chance. According to commercial flight program manager Steve Stich, the next test flight should test propulsion system modifications that Boeing is already testing on Earth. If the tests are successful, Starliner could enter the ISS crew rotation schedule along with Crew Dragon.
Boeing vs. SpaceX
In 2014, NASA awarded both companies contracts worth $4.3 billion (Boeing) and $2.6 billion (SpaceX) to build spacecraft capable of carrying humans to the ISS. However, in 10 years, only SpaceX has fully met the conditions: its Crew Dragon has completed 10 successful missions, while Boeing’s have both been deemed failures.
The failure of Starliner forced NASA to temporarily rely solely on SpaceX. For example, Dragon delivered the members of the Crew-10 mission to the ISS in March 2024. But the agency notes: competition between the two carriers is important for safety and program flexibility.
Why isn’t NASA abandoning Starliner?
The main reason is the desire to have an alternative to not depend solely on SpaceX. “Two private spacecraft will reduce dependence on a single supplier,” NASA explains. Now Starliner should fix the engines’ shortcomings and prove its reliability in space, where conditions cannot be accurately replicated in the lab.
If the next unmanned flight is successful, Boeing will be authorized for a manned mission. This will allow it to finally fulfill its contractual obligations and become the second player in the commercial space transportation market.
Although Starliner’s credibility has been shaken, NASA believes: the fixed spacecraft will be able to compete with Dragon. Whether Boeing will meet expectations is a question that will be answered in the coming years. The next Starliner flight could take place in early 2026, but exact dates will depend on test results.
Earlier we reported that Boeing was looking for buyers for the failed Starliner.
According to spacenews.com
