By John Ikani
NASA and Boeing have delayed the planned crewed flight test of the Starliner spacecraft, citing two new concerns with the vehicle. The launch, which had been scheduled for July 21, has been indefinitely postponed.
The new concerns involve flammable tape used to wrap around wiring harnesses and issues with the vehicle’s parachutes. Boeing says it will take five to seven days to assess the situation and develop a plan for moving forward.
This is the latest in a series of setbacks for the Starliner program. The spacecraft has already suffered two uncrewed flight tests, both of which were marred by technical problems.
In December 2019, Starliner failed to reach the International Space Station due to software errors. In May 2022, the spacecraft successfully docked with the ISS, but experienced minor technical problems during the mission.
The Starliner is one of two spacecraft being developed under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. The other spacecraft, SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, has already successfully flown astronauts to the ISS.
Boeing says it is still committed to the Starliner program and has not had any serious discussions about dropping out. However, the company’s repeated delays and technical problems are raising questions about its ability to deliver a safe and reliable spacecraft.
The delay of the Starliner crewed flight test is a setback for NASA, which is relying on the spacecraft to help meet its goal of sending astronauts to the moon by 2024.
What does this mean for the future of the Starliner program?
It is too early to say what the long-term impact of the delay will be. However, it is clear that Boeing faces significant challenges in getting the Starliner ready for crewed flight.
The company will need to address the two new concerns that have been identified, as well as the other technical problems that have plagued the program. Boeing will also need to rebuild trust with NASA and the American public.
If Boeing is able to overcome these challenges, the Starliner could be a valuable asset to NASA’s space program. However, if the company is unable to do so, the Starliner program could be a costly failure.
