One challenge with the Starliner cargo mission is that it uses up one of the Atlas V rockets planned for future crew launches. This means Boeing might need to find another rocket to meet its NASA contract, which includes up to six crew missions.
Boeing claims Starliner can launch on different rockets, but adapting the spacecraft to a new one, like ULA’s Vulcan, poses several difficulties. During its early development, engineers had to deal with unexpected aerodynamic loads found in wind tunnel tests. This led to the design of an aerodynamic skirt that goes underneath Starliner when it’s atop the Atlas V.
Delays have plagued the Starliner program from the start. A budget crunch at NASA in the early 2010s pushed the timeline back by about two years. Many subsequent setbacks, such as a fuel leak, a fire during ground tests, and parachute issues, have largely been attributed to Boeing. One significant incident was a computer timing error that cut short Starliner’s first attempt to dock at the International Space Station (ISS) in 2019.
Last summer, Starliner had its first crew test flight, but it didn’t go as planned. The spacecraft faced helium leaks and overheating thrusters, which forced it to return to Earth empty. Meanwhile, the astronauts were left on the ISS and later returned home on a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. This was a major letdown for Boeing, which had hoped to join SpaceX as a certified provider for crew transport to the ISS.
After this setback, Boeing’s silence regarding Starliner’s future was notable. There were no statements from the company about its long-term plans for the program, and a program manager even withdrew from a NASA press conference marking the flight’s conclusion.
Interestingly, this scenario isn’t unique in aerospace history. In the past, several projects have faced similar challenges, from budget cuts to technical malfunctions. Experts suggest that these delays can sometimes lead to innovation as companies find new solutions to unexpected problems. For instance, when SpaceX experienced setbacks with its Dragon spacecraft, it only motivated the team to improve and innovate, leading to its successful crewed missions.
As of now, surveys indicate public interest in commercial space travel continues to grow, with around 60% of respondents expressing excitement about missions to the ISS. This trend reflects a broader fascination with space exploration, which may pressure companies like Boeing to push forward despite setbacks.
For more in-depth insights on the technical challenges of space travel, you can explore NASA’s official reports here.
