NASA, Boeing Pivot Starliner Over Safety Concerns
Boeing and NASA have pivoted their Starliner spacecraft over safety concerns, with the space agency announcing that it will not fly the vehicle until further testing is completed.
The decision comes after a series of issues with the spacecraft's propulsion system, as well as concerns over its ability to safely transport astronauts to and from the International Space Station.
“We will not fly the Starliner until we are confident it's safe to do so,” NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said in a statement. “We will not compromise on safety, and we will not compromise on the safety of our astronauts.”
Background on the Starliner Program
The Starliner is a spacecraft designed to transport astronauts to and from the International Space Station, and was originally scheduled to make its first uncrewed flight in 2020.
However, a series of issues with the spacecraft's propulsion system, as well as concerns over its ability to safely transport astronauts, have pushed back the timeline for the Starliner's first flight.
- August 2019: The Starliner's first uncrewed flight is delayed due to a series of issues with the spacecraft's propulsion system.
- December 2019: NASA announces that it will conduct further testing on the Starliner's propulsion system before allowing it to fly with astronauts on board.
- January 2020: Boeing announces that it will delay the Starliner's first crewed flight indefinitely.
“We will not compromise on safety, and we will not compromise on the safety of our astronauts,” Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg said in a statement. “We will continue to work with NASA to ensure that the Starliner is safe and reliable before we fly it with crew.”
Author's Note: This pivot by NASA and Boeing is a significant setback for the Starliner program, but it's a necessary step to ensure the safety of astronauts. The space agency and Boeing will need to work closely together to resolve the issues with the spacecraft's propulsion system and ensure that it's safe to fly with crew.
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