NASA Stays Committed to Starliner Despite ISS Retirement Approaching
Despite setbacks, NASA and Boeing are working on resolving issues with the Starliner spacecraft to meet NASA's crew rotation flight goals. Boeing is determined to fulfill its NASA contract, even though delays have cost over $2 billion. The next Starliner flight may carry cargo to the ISS, with NASA considering the benefits of this approach.
After numerous delays and setbacks, NASA is not giving up on Boeing's Starliner spacecraft. The commercial crew program manager, Steve Stich, announced that Boeing and its propulsion supplier are making changes to address issues faced during a test flight to the International Space Station last year. These changes include fixing helium leaks and preventing thruster overheating.
Boeing, facing over $2 billion in costs due to delays, is still over a year away from fulfilling its NASA contract for crew rotation flights to the ISS. Despite the setbacks, Boeing is committed to Starliner, aiming for a flight as early as next year and crew rotation flights by the end of the following year.
The next Starliner flight may carry only cargo to the ISS, with no final decision made yet. NASA has sufficient crew rotation missions scheduled on SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft until at least 2027 or 2028.
Stich highlighted the benefits of flying a cargo mission first, drawing parallels with Dragon's successful approach. The journey to operational service for Starliner, initially expected in 2010, has faced significant delays.
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