The decision to transfer the crew of Boeing’s Starliner to a SpaceX mission after the spacecraft malfunctioned is just the latest twist in a long history that has undermined the US aerospace giant’s credibility.
Here’s a recap of the setbacks and delays on the Starliner’s journey to fly a crew to the International Space Station — and how it couldn’t recover.
2014: Nasa awarded contract
A decade ago NASA selected two companies, Boeing and SpaceX, to each develop a new spacecraft capable of carrying its astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS).
The US space agency required both to be ready for 2017 as it sought to end its reliance on the Russian spacecraft it had used to carry astronauts to the ISS since the end of the space shuttle program in 2011.
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Boeing was awarded a $4.2 billion contract, compared to SpaceX’s $2.6 billion. At the time, billionaire Elon Musk’s new company was widely seen as the underdog against aerospace powerhouse Boeing.
2019: Failed drone flight
During a first unmanned flight in December 2019, the capsule failed to enter the correct orbit and returned to Earth prematurely after two days, without reaching the ISS.
The problem was due to a clock that was delayed by eleven hours, preventing the capsule from firing its thrusters at the scheduled time.
NASA then realized that another software problem could have led to a catastrophic collision.
The manufacturer was given a long list of recommendations and modifications to make.
2021: False hope
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In August 2021, when the rocket was already on the launch pad for another flight attempt, unexpected moisture caused a chemical reaction that prevented some of the capsule’s valves from opening.
The capsule returned to the factory for testing over several months.
The delay was in stark contrast to the progress made by SpaceX, which has successfully carried astronauts to the ISS since 2020.
2022: First (unmanned) success
In May 2022, the Starliner finally completed its first unmanned test flight.
Despite a few glitches — including a propulsion system problem detected in flight, but with no adverse consequences — the capsule took off, reached the ISS where it remained docked for several days, and returned safely to Earth.
2023: New concerns, new delays
Starliner’s nascent momentum was arrested in 2023 when new problems arose, delaying preparations for its first manned flight.
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One involved designing the parachutes that would slow the capsule as it re-entered the atmosphere. Modified and re-tested.
The other was even more surprising: the duct tape, used several meters away to wrap the electrical cables inside the capsule, proved flammable and had to be removed.
2024: First manned flight goes awry
The big day finally arrived on June 5, 2024: the capsule lifted off with two astronauts for the first time, a final test mission to prove it was safe before starting regular operations on the ISS.
But leaks of helium, the gas used to pressurize the propulsion system, were discovered during the flight.
Subsequently, several thrusters failed before the capsule docked with the ISS, although all but one eventually reignited.
NASA feared that the capsule would not be able to achieve the necessary thrust to return to Earth.
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As a result, the space agency made a radical decision: to transfer the two astronauts on a SpaceX mission and return the Starliner empty.
Analysis of the flight will determine the way forward — and how long any new delays will last.
Boeing has already spent $1.6 billion over the program’s budget.
Source: AFP