Philipp Hartung’s Post

NASA is considering using SpaceX Crew Dragon to bring astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore back from the ISS due to technical issues with Boeing's Starliner. - 🚀 NASA is exploring a backup return option for astronauts. - 🛠️ Boeing Starliner experienced thruster malfunctions and helium leaks. - 🌌 Astronauts' stay on the ISS could be extended into next year. - 🧑🚀 SpaceX Crew Dragon launch rescheduled to late September. - 💰 Boeing incurred $125 million in additional costs for the Starliner program. #NASA #SpaceX #SpaceExploration - 🌟 Starliner’s issues might delay its crewed missions. - 🛰️ Crew Dragon would carry two astronauts instead of four for the return mission. - 🔄 Backup plan involves extensive coordination between NASA and SpaceX. - 👩🚀 Preparing Crew Dragon spacesuits for Williams and Wilmore. - 🛩️ Boeing faces additional scrutiny and pressure from ongoing technical challenges. NASA Says Boeing Starliner Astronauts May Fly Home on SpaceX in 2025 https://lnkd.in/gW3m7FzK

The Story an Under Dog! It has been simply fascinating to witness NASA's evolution in its trust dynamics between SpaceX and Boeing! Initially, NASA was reluctant to hand over contracts to SpaceX, favoring the more established Boeing. Fast forward to today, and the tables have completely turned. Recent developments surrounding Boeing's Starliner capsule highlight a major shift. The Starliner, which was tasked with bringing back NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, has been plagued with a series of technical issues. After a rocky maiden crewed flight on June 5, 2024, and subsequent docking at the ISS, NASA officials have deemed it too risky to bring the astronauts back on the Starliner. Instead, Boeing's Starliner will attempt an uncrewed return to Earth early next month. Meanwhile, SpaceX will launch its Crew Dragon spacecraft to the ISS on September 24, carrying two empty seats for Wilmore and Williams to safely return home in February 2025. This decision marks a significant setback for Boeing’s Starliner program, which has faced repeated delays and technical troubles. With the inability to safely return its crew, Boeing's future in NASA's Commercial Crew Program is now under scrutiny. This entire saga is a testament to how rapidly the space industry is evolving. SpaceX, once the underdog, has proven its mettle with consistent performance and reliability, redefining NASA’s trust in its capabilities. The takeaway? Trust isn't given—it's earned through innovation, resilience, and reliability. #SpaceExploration #NASA #SpaceX #Boeing #CommercialCrewProgram #Innovation #Leadership #Trust #Astronauts #ISS

NASA's Boeing Starliner faces challenges in rescuing astronauts on the ISS, with Elon Musk's Crew Dragon as the potential alternative, but there are complications. - 🛰️ Limited docking port availability for Crew Dragon - 🤖 Potential need for Canadarm maneuver to clear docking port - ⏳ Starliner's limited 45-day docking window, with 18 days elapsed #SpaceExploration #Astronauts #SpaceRescue - 📆 Rescue mission planning and precise execution needed - 💡 Coordination between NASA and SpaceX critical - 🔧 Addressing technical challenges essential for successful rescue Only Elon Musk's 'Crew Dragon' can rescue Sunita Williams from space if NASA's Boeing Starliner fails, but there's a catch... https://lnkd.in/gqtRNyN2

Starliner’s Failure to Launch 🚀 In 2013-14, NASA took a bold step, halting its own spacecraft development and awarding contracts to the private sector. Boeing, with its $4.5B contract for the CST-100 Starliner, was chosen as the primary contractor alongside SpaceX, who received $2.6B for its Crew Dragon. While Boeing's Starliner was slated for launch in 2017, ongoing technical issues, delays, and safety concerns pushed the project back. Fast forward to May 2022: an uncrewed test flight had a partial parachute failure, marking yet another blow to Boeing’s space program. Meanwhile, SpaceX, with 13 successful crewed and cargo missions, has emerged as NASA’s go-to partner. Currently, Boeing's struggles persist. While the June 2023 Starliner launch successfully made it into space, problems began to surface during its journey to the ISS, including thruster malfunctions and helium leaks. As a result, NASA may need to rely on SpaceX to bring the astronauts back to Earth by February 2024 due to concerns over Starliner’s reliability. The fallout is significant. Boeing’s defense and space division, its second-largest revenue stream, has suffered regulatory scrutiny and stock price dips. With increased oversight and delays, the question remains—could these failures bleed into its commercial airline reputation? Boeing’s road ahead is steep. Solving Starliner’s technical issues and regaining NASA’s trust is crucial, not just for space but for its broader business future. #SpaceRace #Boeing #SpaceX #NASA #StockMarket #Aerospace #Innovation

**** Boeing mission to send NASA astronauts to space station faces more lengthy delays **** Its a Crew Shuttle vehicle, basically the space capsule that docks to the ISS space station. As explained in the article, it has continuing failures and was not able to dock, has a weak parachute component, valve corrosion issues, some electrical insulation issues. What does it mean? 1- Every manufacturing-design company is not perfect, we should expect small errors to crop up. That is human. 2- However in the Aerospace business you are allowed one mistake as part of development but for human crewed vehicles you cannot keep coming back with more errors. 3- Companies such as Boeing should change their philosophy and hire top rated reliability experts to guide management. Management frequently lack this capability and that is why failures keep happening...this is a major human technical weakness to understand. 4- In the case of SPACEX the "management" who were competent in reliability are Elon Musk and his hand picked team leaders, which resulted in the succesful DRAGON spacecraft that worked straight "out of the box". 5- Can Boeing design-build a more reliabile Aerospace product? Yes, with the correct team of management and engineers who have high competency in mechanical, electrical, and control reliability. SpaceX #astronautics

#Boeing Boeing and NASA have delayed the return of the Starliner spacecraft from its recent mission to the International Space Station due to propulsion system issues, including helium leaks and non-functioning thrusters. Originally scheduled to return after eight days, the spacecraft remains docked while engineers troubleshoot these problems. This delay underscores the high stakes for Boeing, which needs to demonstrate Starliner's reliability and safety following years of setbacks and cost overruns. The mission's success is crucial for Boeing to secure certification for regular crew rotation missions, fulfilling a $4.2 billion contract with NASA and ensuring the company’s future in space travel. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Boeing are committed to ensuring the astronauts' safe return, with no immediate rush to fly them back. The spacecraft can stay docked for up to 45 days, providing ample time to resolve the propulsion issues. Despite the delays, NASA and Boeing stress that the spacecraft remains safe for an emergency return if necessary. The issues identified, such as helium leaks and thruster malfunctions, need to be addressed thoroughly before proceeding with subsequent missions. The ongoing investigation and troubleshooting aim to gather crucial data to inform necessary upgrades and ensure Starliner's readiness for future missions. The delays and technical challenges with the Starliner capsule highlight the rigorous certification process required before the spacecraft can undertake regular missions. Engineers are leveraging the current mission to collect valuable data on the propulsion system, crucial for post-certification improvements. Former NASA officials emphasize the importance of addressing these issues comprehensively to avoid future mishaps, drawing on lessons from past missions like the Space Shuttle program. As Boeing and NASA work through these challenges, the focus remains on safety and reliability, with astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore continuing their mission in space while solutions are developed. Christian Davenport, reporting for The Washington Post, provides detailed coverage of these developments and their implications for Boeing's space endeavors .

NASA is weighing whether to return astronauts on Boeing's Starliner or use SpaceX's Crew Dragon instead due to recent Starliner thruster issues. 🔍 Ongoing discussions about the safest return method 🚀 Boeing confident in Starliner despite thruster malfunctions 🛰️ Crew Dragon as the likely alternative for safe return 👨🚀 Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams currently on the ISS 🔧 Root cause of Starliner’s thruster failure still unidentified #NASA #SpaceExploration #Astronauts 🗓️ Decision timeline remains uncertain 🔭 Ensuring astronaut safety is the top priority 📉 Potential implications for Boeing's space program 🌌 Importance of reliable space travel technology https://lnkd.in/gDTCAXHX

Great read. From a purely program management point of view, Starliner appears to be a clunky, red tape-filled project. When I examine the design, it seems that the designers might have been constrained by previous vehicle designs, either by choice or directive, and simply added new technology. This may have been a cost-saving strategy. I would be interested in reviewing their meeting notes to understand the decision-making process, the egos involved, and the frequency of "this is how we have always done things" arguments. If these issues are present, I can see how many young engineers might feel frustrated with such projects. Additionally, I wonder if the project's goals were different, requiring cost savings, longevity, and compatibility with existing rocket sizes. This could explain the design choices, as the vehicles could be intended for use over the next 50 years for example. This is where the innovation brought by SpaceX and other companies is crucial. They challenge the status quo and push science forward, project by project, without being as constrained in their designs.

NASA's undocking of Boeing Starliner for Crew-9 to rescue Sunita Williams could result in a $1.5 billion loss. 🔧 Technical issues include helium leaks and malfunctioning thrusters. 🕒 Mission return delayed, posing financial risks for Boeing. 👨🚀 NASA may use SpaceX Dragon capsule if issues persist. 🏠 ISS logistics complicated by undocking requirements. #NASA #SpaceX #Boeing - 🔧 Technical challenges with Starliner involve helium leaks, faulty thrusters, and a malfunctioning propellant valve. - 👨🚀 Astronauts Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Sunita Williams currently stranded due to these issues. - 🚀 Potential use of SpaceX Dragon capsule considered for safe return. - 🏠 Undocking Starliner complicates International Space Station logistics and docking schedules. - 💸 Financial implications for Boeing include a potential $1.5 billion loss. $1.5 billion will be lost in space if NASA decides to undock Boeing Starliner for Crew-9 to rescue Sunita Williams https://lnkd.in/gBuEeQ57

NASA and SpaceX are gearing up for Crew-9 while addressing Boeing Starliner issues at the ISS. - 🛠️ Boeing Starliner faces thruster and helium system problems. - 👩🚀 Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore await a solution on the ISS. - 🚀 SpaceX Dragon capsule may be used for their return if Starliner is inoperative. - 🌌 Starliner must be undocked to clear the port for Crew-9's arrival. #SpaceX #NASA #SpaceMission - 🚀 Crew-9 mission launches on August 18. - 🛠️ Resolving Starliner issues critical for ISS operations. - 🚀 Ensuring astronaut safety is the top priority. - 🌌 Collaboration between NASA and SpaceX is pivotal for success. End of Boeing Starliner? NASA will have to get rid of Sunita Williams' ride in 19 days to make way for SpaceX's Crew-9 rescue mission https://lnkd.in/gD_NwHVH