NASA has announced it will utilize SpaceX’s Crew Dragon for its next two crewed missions to the International Space Station (ISS), Crew-10 and Crew-11, scheduled for no earlier than February and July 2025, respectively. This decision comes after Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner encountered significant issues during its recent crewed test flight, raising concerns about the spacecraft’s readiness for operational missions.
Boeing’s initial target for Starliner’s first operational flight was early 2025. However, the crewed test flight, intended to demonstrate the spacecraft’s capabilities, revealed critical flaws, pushing back Starliner’s certification timeline indefinitely. NASA is now evaluating Boeing’s path towards certification, taking into account the lessons learned from the troubled test flight and pending approvals of final certification products.
Starliner’s Troubled Test Flight and its Aftermath
The Starliner test flight, launched on June 5, carried NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunni Williams to the ISS. During the mission, the spacecraft experienced multiple thruster failures and helium leaks, one of which was detected before launch. These technical difficulties led to extensive ground testing and ultimately the decision to return the astronauts on a SpaceX Dragon capsule. Wilmore and Williams, initially slated for a week-long mission, will now return with SpaceX Crew-9 in February 2025, after an eight-month stay aboard the ISS.
This setback is a significant blow to Boeing, which received a contract alongside SpaceX in 2014 as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. While SpaceX has successfully launched nine crews to the ISS, Boeing continues to grapple with technical challenges, delaying its progress towards certification.
Boeing’s Struggles and the Future of Starliner
Boeing’s $4.3 billion Commercial Crew Program contract remains unfulfilled. The CST-100 Starliner, initially conceived in 2010 and drawing on Boeing’s legacy in spacecraft design, has faced repeated setbacks. A 2019 uncrewed test flight was hampered by a software glitch that prevented the spacecraft from reaching the ISS. A subsequent uncrewed test in 2022, while reaching the ISS, also encountered thruster issues.
The recent crewed test flight, meant to pave the way for operational missions, has further complicated Starliner’s future. NASA is currently considering various options for the spacecraft’s certification, including a potential flight in 2025. However, the nature of this flight – crewed or uncrewed – remains uncertain.
From Shuttle Retirement to Commercial Crew: A Shift in Spaceflight
NASA’s decision to retire the Space Shuttle necessitated a new approach to crew transportation to the ISS. The agency aimed to reduce reliance on Russia’s Soyuz spacecraft and invested in partnerships with private companies like SpaceX and Boeing. While SpaceX has proven a reliable partner, Boeing’s ongoing struggles with Starliner highlight the complexities of developing and certifying new human-rated spacecraft.
Conclusion: SpaceX Steps Up as Starliner’s Future Remains Uncertain
With Starliner’s certification timeline uncertain, SpaceX’s Crew Dragon will continue to play a crucial role in ensuring access to the ISS. The future of Boeing’s Starliner program hinges on addressing the technical challenges revealed during the recent crewed test flight and demonstrating the spacecraft’s reliability for future missions. NASA’s ongoing evaluation will determine the next steps for Starliner, including the possibility of another test flight in 2025. The outcome will significantly impact Boeing’s role in the Commercial Crew Program and the future of human spaceflight.
