A Closer Look At The Switch From Starliner To SpaceX's Dragon

After over two months in space, constant ground testing, and general back and forth between the agency and Boeing, a decision was finally made. SpaceX is now responsible for returning Butch and Suni from the ISS, the two astronauts who launched on Boeing’s Starliner apart of the spacecraft’s first crewed flight test.

During a news conference held earlier today, NASA confirmed the decision and provided additional context into exactly what it means. Here I will go more in-depth into the switch, NASA’s reasoning, what this means for Starliner, and more.

Credit:

Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
0:29 - Starliner To Dragon

[NoResultFound]

What I don't understand, is that Everyone knew that the Starliner capsule had repetitive issues while still on the ground and yet they launched anyway. Day 1 we all knew.

[prilep]

Sunny and Butch could be a good movie title

[jadusiv]

Going to be interesting when starliner returns. If it burns up or something people are going to be like wow, Boeing woulda killed those astronauts.

[ARWest-bpyb]

Most excellent reporting my friend, I'm glad I heard this from you first.👍👍

[kuckoo]

It was either this, or Boeing forcing a bad decision on NASA. And you know someone at Boeing tried hard to do exactly that despite the issues and risks.

[mkocel]

im actually surprised they didnt double down and risk the astronauts lives. thank goodness someone in charge has a bit of sense.

[saltyscorpion]

If you can't keep your planes in the air or get your spacecraft back on the ground, you must be Boeing.

[brycecohoon]

I never wanted them to go uphill in Starliner in the first place, I assume Butch and Suni will enjoy the extra time at the ISS, we need competent providers in the spaceflight sector.

[PC-nfno]

I have to admit that in the past I was quite the Boeing fan. They were a major player in the Apollo program, the Space Shuttle and built several modules for the International Space Station, and more. Of recent years, even after becoming a staunch Space X fan, I was quite excited about Boeings' initial Starliner program. Like everyone else, as the flaws in the program became evident, my support began to fade. When you also consider Boeing commercial airliner problems and their mismanagement problems since acquiring Mcdonald Douglas and their misguided DEI policies, it becomes easy to nail Boeing to the cross.

When you filter out the emotions and breakdown the issues, maybe the issues are not as bad as I thought. The Space shuttle was quite unreliable in its early flights, but the system did mature, save the disasters that occurred, and became more reliable. Adding to that, NASA was only given funding for about half of the proposed upgrades that would have made it cheaper and safer to fly. Boeing does have its share of responsibilities for its mistakes but in the case of the thrusters, being of a subcontractor's product, I think it's less on Boeing than we all are inclined to blame.

The thrusters are supplied by Aerojet Rocket Dyne and L3Harris. Both are very well known and trusted suppliers. Boeing and AJ/RD have spent the last 2 months trying to recreate the problem. Thrusters and valves of various types have been around for a long time. Perhaps some new valve type whereas a condition has slipped thru the cracks. The point is, I don't think it's a lemon. This is not yet a production model. I think they definitely could have done a better job to this point but in the end, they'll get the issues worked out and Starliner will be a reliable transportation system (fingers crossed).

[doltsbane]

It may finally be dawning on the NASA managerial class that there may not be a cushy post-retirement job waiting for them at Boeing if they just play ball. Nelson on the other hand looks like he needs to get back to his sarcophagus.

[SM-cgdc]

So, by the time they fix this, will there still be a

[scottaye]

NASA: We paid Boeing twice as much, and gave Boeing years longer to complete, and the mission stranded personnel at the ISS, BUT we're looking forward to working with Boeing in the future! Can you say political influence and corruption?

[Dumbo_Bat]

I feel bad for the crew that are gonna be stuck aboard the ISS til February

[dereks]

Is anybody surprised this has happened.

[paaabl.]

Thank you for decent and unbiased reporting. This is experimental program with a lot of risks involved. This decision for good for many reasons. Starliner still might be a second national spacecraft, we need it to succeed. BlueOrigin has massive delay but looks like they are also joining the game. Awesome!

[neilstern]

Cool. And you still can test auto for return.

[gaetanovindigni]

In what important detail are the Spaceliner and Space X suits incompatible?

[jsb]

"You built a bad boat."

- Bowen "Iceberg" Yang, SNL

[sjauk]

@thespacebucket - What I would like to know is whether Boeing/NASA could do more exhaustive tests of the doghouse thermal issues, after the Starliner crew capsule separates from the service module. Does the service module provide a similar doghouse configuration that includes OMAC and RCS thrusters, or are they only fitted to the crew capsule ? I note that the tests done so far have been pretty conservative. They also specifically excluded testing the crew capsule RCS thruster thought to have been permanently damaged. Returning the crew capsule unmanned definitely provides them with an opportunity to do more risky testing of its doghouses. If anything, I suspected they will stick to conservative testing, to avoid risking the capsule or their reputation further, and thus lose this opportunity to learn more !

[stevieathome]

I wonder, what is the real future of the Boeing Starliner?