Mar 21, 2025 03:54 PM
NASA won’t let Starliner die just yet, even after Boeing’s space fiasco
https://gizmodo.com/nasa-wont-let-starli...2000578546
EXCERPTS: The Starliner saga may not be over just yet. Despite a failed test flight that left a crew stranded in space, NASA still hasn’t given up on Boeing’s ill-fated spacecraft. Starliner may get another chance to transport astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS).
During a briefing on Wednesday, NASA officials revealed that they are looking into launching another test flight of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft before certifying the vehicle for regular crew rotation missions. “What we’d like to do is that one flight and then get into a crew rotation flight,” Steve Stich, NASA commercial crew program manager, said, according to SpaceNews. “So, the next flight up would really test all the changes we’re making to the vehicle, and then the next fight beyond that, we really need to get Boeing into a crew rotation. So, that’s the strategy.”
[...] NASA awarded Boeing and SpaceX contracts in 2014 as part of the space agency’s Commercial Crew Program to develop spacecraft capable of carrying crew and cargo to the ISS. So far, Boeing hasn’t met the end of its $4.3 billion Commercial Crew Program contract with NASA while its competition, SpaceX, has flown 10 crews to the ISS and back... (MORE - details)
https://gizmodo.com/nasa-wont-let-starli...2000578546
EXCERPTS: The Starliner saga may not be over just yet. Despite a failed test flight that left a crew stranded in space, NASA still hasn’t given up on Boeing’s ill-fated spacecraft. Starliner may get another chance to transport astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS).
During a briefing on Wednesday, NASA officials revealed that they are looking into launching another test flight of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft before certifying the vehicle for regular crew rotation missions. “What we’d like to do is that one flight and then get into a crew rotation flight,” Steve Stich, NASA commercial crew program manager, said, according to SpaceNews. “So, the next flight up would really test all the changes we’re making to the vehicle, and then the next fight beyond that, we really need to get Boeing into a crew rotation. So, that’s the strategy.”
[...] NASA awarded Boeing and SpaceX contracts in 2014 as part of the space agency’s Commercial Crew Program to develop spacecraft capable of carrying crew and cargo to the ISS. So far, Boeing hasn’t met the end of its $4.3 billion Commercial Crew Program contract with NASA while its competition, SpaceX, has flown 10 crews to the ISS and back... (MORE - details)