Boeing is reportedly considering selling its NASA-related space business, including the troubled Starliner spacecraft program, following a series of costly delays and technical issues. This strategic shift comes after a particularly challenging crewed test flight to the International Space Station (ISS) and mounting financial losses.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Boeing is exploring options for divesting parts of its space division, while potentially retaining components related to NASA’s Space Launch System rocket. This news follows a recent earnings call where Boeing’s new CEO, Kelly Ortberg, hinted at the possibility of streamlining the company’s portfolio. Ortberg emphasized the importance of focusing on core strengths, suggesting that some fringe projects might be hindering overall efficiency.
Starliner’s development has been plagued by setbacks, accumulating a staggering $1.85 billion in losses for Boeing. Under its $4.2 billion contract with NASA, Boeing owns the Starliner spacecraft and NASA purchases missions to transport crew and cargo to the ISS. This stands in stark contrast to SpaceX, which has successfully flown nine astronaut crews to the ISS in the same timeframe that Boeing has struggled to achieve a single operational mission.
The recent crewed test flight, CST-100 Starliner’s mission to the ISS with NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunni Williams, encountered multiple critical failures. Five thrusters malfunctioned and five helium leaks were detected, one even before liftoff. The spacecraft remained docked to the ISS for three months while engineers investigated the issues. Ultimately, the decision was made to return the spacecraft uncrewed and bring the astronauts back on a SpaceX Dragon capsule.
This latest failure has forced NASA to further delay Starliner’s operational missions, relying on SpaceX for two additional missions in 2025. This reliance on a competitor underscores the uncertainty surrounding Starliner’s future. Wilmore and Williams, originally scheduled for an eight-day mission, will now return to Earth in February 2025 after an eight-month stay aboard the ISS.
Given these challenges, Boeing’s potential exit from the space business seems increasingly likely. The company’s reputation has suffered considerably, particularly when compared to SpaceX’s rapid progress. In 2014, when NASA awarded the Commercial Crew Program contracts, Boeing was an established industry leader while SpaceX was a newcomer. Inspired by Boeing’s legacy, including its contribution to the Apollo 11 mission with the Saturn V rocket’s first stage booster, Starliner was meant to continue this tradition. However, the spacecraft has consistently fallen short of expectations, potentially marking the end of Boeing’s space ambitions.
In conclusion, Boeing’s potential divestiture of its space-related assets reflects the significant challenges faced by the Starliner program. Years of delays, technical issues, and escalating costs have led to a reassessment of the company’s commitment to space exploration. The future of Starliner remains uncertain, and Boeing’s decision will likely have significant implications for the commercial space industry.
