User Panel
User Panel
User Panel
|
Posted: 8/1/2024 9:22:21 AM EST
[#1]
Boeing takes additional $125 million loss on Starliner
"Boeing took another loss on its CST-100 Starliner commercial crew program as the company works to prepare the spacecraft for its delayed return from the International Space Station. In a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission July 31 about the company’s second quarter financial results, Boeing said it was taking an additional $125 million charge on Starliner, citing delays in completing the ongoing Crew Flight Test (CFT) mission. Boeing has taken about $1.6 billion in charges on Starliner throughout the program, mostly since a flawed initial uncrewed test flight in late 2019. The company took a $288 million loss on Starliner in 2023, including $257 million in the second quarter of last year after the company delayed the CFT mission to 2024. The company did not discuss Starliner during a July 31 earnings call but noted the losses were part of $1 billion in charges on fixed-price programs in its Defense and Space business unit recorded in the quarter that included work on the KC-46A tanker aircraft and VC-25B aircraft that will be the next Air Force One. “Clearly, the results this quarter are disappointing,” said Dave Calhoun, the outgoing chief executive of Boeing, on the call, referring to the losses on those fixed-price contracts. “We expected the fixed-price development programs to remain bumpy until we complete the development phase and transition to mature long-term franchise programs.” That has made Boeing wary about taking on future fixed-price work in that business unit. “Based on the lessons that we’ve learned in taking on these fixed-price development programs, we have maintained contracting discipline for all future opportunities,” he said. " |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/1/2024 10:11:45 PM EST
[#2]
NASA says it is “evaluating all options” for the safe return of Starliner crew
"For a long time, it seemed almost certain that the astronauts would return to Earth inside Starliner. However, there has been a lot of recent activity at NASA, Boeing, and SpaceX that suggests that Wilmore and Williams could come home aboard a Crew Dragon spacecraft rather than Starliner. Due to the critical importance of this mission, Ars is sharing what we know as of Thursday afternoon. One informed source said it was greater than a 50-50 chance that the crew would come back on Dragon. Another source said it was significantly more likely than not they would. To be clear, NASA has not made a final decision. This probably will not happen until at least next week. It is likely that Jim Free, NASA's associate administrator, will make the call. Asked if it was now more likely than not that Starliner's crew would return on Dragon, NASA spokesperson Josh Finch told Ars on Thursday evening, " NASA is evaluating all options for the return of agency astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams from the International Space Station as safely as possible. No decisions have been made and the agency will continue to provide updates on its planning."" |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/1/2024 11:19:55 PM EST
[#3]
They come down on a Dragon....that's it for Boeing as a primary NASA manned spaceflight contractor.....and, effectively, the exit of the last remnants of OldSpace from the arena.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 8/1/2024 11:27:17 PM EST
[#4]
Quote HistoryQuoted: They come down on a Dragon....that's it for Boeing as a primary NASA manned spaceflight contractor.....and, effectively, the exit of the last remnants of OldSpace from the arena. They might be on their way out anyway. They have said they will not do any more fixed price contracts as a company. Thankfully nasa has started using more and more fixed contracts to get a handle on the ridiculous delays and cost overruns that old space relied on and perpetuated. SpaceX has shown the admin, responsible companies can thrive on fixed price and that allows nasa to get more missions and more research done for the funds congress allows them to have. |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/1/2024 11:30:29 PM EST
[#5]
Quote HistoryQuoted: They come down on a Dragon....that's it for Boeing as a primary NASA manned spaceflight contractor.....and, effectively, the exit of the last remnants of OldSpace from the arena. Will they have to refund nasa since they won't be able to provide the required flights to the iss? |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/1/2024 11:31:49 PM EST
[#6]
Quote HistoryQuoted: They might be on their way out anyway. They have said they will not do any more fixed price contracts as a company. Thankfully nasa has started using more and more fixed contracts to get a handle on the ridiculous delays and cost overruns that old space relied on and perpetuated. SpaceX has shown the admin, responsible companies can thrive on fixed price and that allows nasa to get more missions and more research done for the funds congress allows them to have. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: They come down on a Dragon....that's it for Boeing as a primary NASA manned spaceflight contractor.....and, effectively, the exit of the last remnants of OldSpace from the arena. They might be on their way out anyway. They have said they will not do any more fixed price contracts as a company. Thankfully nasa has started using more and more fixed contracts to get a handle on the ridiculous delays and cost overruns that old space relied on and perpetuated. SpaceX has shown the admin, responsible companies can thrive on fixed price and that allows nasa to get more missions and more research done for the funds congress allows them to have. I've said many times that Webb will probably be the last hurrah for old space. It seems like every project that has been announced since will either be 100% New Space or they will count on New Space to do most of the heavy lifting. When you look at what old space has left its SLS, Vulcan and... Maybe we can be generous and toss Blue Origin into that category since they operate so much like an old space company? 
|
|
|
|
Posted: 8/2/2024 6:31:54 AM EST
[#7]
It would seem prudent to bring the two astronauts back in another vehicle if available.
The possibility of sacrificing two individuals is just not worth it. I suspect the stranded vehicle can fly itself back sans the astronauts. |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/2/2024 7:00:03 AM EST
[#8]
Funny. We sent them a time and material bid for their mockup training capsule. They added "not to exceed" to the terms and some dummy on our side signed it. They stiffed us for $200k in add ons.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 8/2/2024 7:13:02 AM EST
[#9]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Phil's on vacation. NASA has a "use it or lose it" vacation policy. Put it in his inbox on his desk and he'll get to it when he gets back. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: A couple of weeks to "evaluate the data"? Sounds like it didn't go well.... It's worse - the crew is in meetings all day. |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/2/2024 7:19:52 AM EST
[#10]
Quote HistoryQuoted: NASA says it is "evaluating all options" for the safe return of Starliner crew "For a long time, it seemed almost certain that the astronauts would return to Earth inside Starliner. However, there has been a lot of recent activity at NASA, Boeing, and SpaceX that suggests that Wilmore and Williams could come home aboard a Crew Dragon spacecraft rather than Starliner. Due to the critical importance of this mission, Ars is sharing what we know as of Thursday afternoon. One informed source said it was greater than a 50-50 chance that the crew would come back on Dragon. Another source said it was significantly more likely than not they would. To be clear, NASA has not made a final decision. This probably will not happen until at least next week. It is likely that Jim Free, NASA's associate administrator, will make the call. Asked if it was now more likely than not that Starliner's crew would return on Dragon, NASA spokesperson Josh Finch told Ars on Thursday evening, " NASA is evaluating all options for the return of agency astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams from the International Space Station as safely as possible. No decisions have been made and the agency will continue to provide updates on its planning."" |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/2/2024 8:00:08 AM EST
[#11]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Funny. We sent them a time and material bid for their mockup training capsule. They added "not to exceed" to the terms and some dummy on our side signed it. They stiffed us for $200k in add ons. Contracting attempted that with two relatively small CRAD contracts I had with small businesses and I raised hell to get them paid. The contracts office operated like a bureaucracy heavy DMV, and nothing moved until it passed through each bottleneck. Exactly the opposite was needed during the JSF proposal phase. (Fucked up airplane, or not.) |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/2/2024 8:17:52 AM EST
[#12]
NASA pushes Boeing Starliner return meeting to at least next week
"Despite NASA officials last week stating a return readiness review might happen this week for Boeing’s Starliner, teams instead continue to go over data for the spacecraft before any decision on its departure from the International Space Station." Next week is 5-9 August 2024. Perhaps they need more time to get SpaceX cost and time information on an Uber mission. I would love to see Isaacman command the mission with the second person secretly being Musk. |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/2/2024 8:20:26 AM EST
[#13]
Boeing's decline is breathtaking.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 8/2/2024 8:30:59 AM EST
[#14]
They’ll end up jettisoning it full of trash and letting it burn up in the atmosphere. Crew dragon will end up bringing them home. Boeing is dragging their heels, I’d love to know what contracts they’re waiting for to be finalized right now. If I had to bet they’re trying to secure some contracts in the pipeline before they admit failure here and the tanking their stock will take as a result.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 8/2/2024 8:57:07 AM EST
[#15]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Literally everyone here said SpaceX is going to bring them home from the very beginning of this ordeal. except the guys holding Boeing stock or Paychecks |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/2/2024 9:03:30 AM EST
[#16]
Quote HistoryQuoted: They’ll end up jettisoning it full of trash and letting it burn up in the atmosphere. Crew dragon will end up bringing them home. Boeing is dragging their heels, I’d love to know what contracts they’re waiting for to be finalized right now. If I had to bet they’re trying to secure some contracts in the pipeline before they admit failure here and the tanking their stock will take as a result. Launching that thing with people on board while never completing a completely nominal flight or at a minimum on a craft with zero known problems was retarded. These decisions were not made because they wanted to further space exploration, they were made because of the bottom line and the effect of more delays would have on stock prices. They are currently standing over their dick and trying to figure out if they are about to step on it. Seriously fucking stupid when it comes at the possible price of two astronauts. How much does the US tax payer have invested in these two humans? How many training hours and what would it cost to replace them. I get that space is dangerous and these people all understand the inherent risks of that job but they dont need to go out of their way to make it more dangerous. |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/2/2024 9:11:29 AM EST
[#17]
Quote HistoryQuoted: They’ll end up jettisoning it full of trash and letting it burn up in the atmosphere. Crew dragon will end up bringing them home. Boeing is dragging their heels, I’d love to know what contracts they’re waiting for to be finalized right now. If I had to bet they’re trying to secure some contracts in the pipeline before they admit failure here and the tanking their stock will take as a result. I suspect that they will attempt to have it return successfully. That data could be essential if they really try to use it for operational missions...which I doubt will happen. |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/2/2024 9:14:22 AM EST
[#18]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Launching that thing with people on board while never completing a completely nominal flight or at a minimum on a craft with zero known problems was retarded. These decisions were not made because they wanted to further space exploration, they were made because of the bottom line and the effect of more delays would have on stock prices. They are currently standing over their dick and trying to figure out if they are about to step on it. Seriously fucking stupid when it comes at the possible price of two astronauts. How much does the US tax payer have invested in these two humans? How many training hours and what would it cost to replace them. I get that space is dangerous and these people all understand the inherent risks of that job but they dont need to go out of their way to make it more dangerous. Both could retire after they get back. Remember that this first flight originally had three people on it. One was a Boeing guy...Ferguson possibly.. who was an ex-NASA astronaut. He dropped out a few years ago for "family reasons" or similar. It would not surprise me if he saw problems and preferred to live. |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/2/2024 9:24:18 AM EST
[#19]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Both could retire after they get back. Remember that this first flight originally had three people on it. One was a Boeing guy...Ferguson possibly.. who was an ex-NASA astronaut. He dropped out a few years ago for "family reasons" or similar. It would not surprise me if he saw problems and preferred to live. Considering those two have been waiting for YEARs to get this Boeing Crapsule to space… I would venture retirement is a likely outcome regardless of how they get back. Or maybe they'll go back to Astronaut management positions, which many often do if they want to stay on with NASA. The 'crew' for this test flight has changed several times - at first they had a younger / newer astronaut involved as well - but considering the delays she got rotated to a SpaceX Dragon ride, along with a number of others who were slated to fly on Boeings first 'post qual' mission flights. This is the death throes of old space… they still have some legacy programs and will likely not go down without more fighting, but SpaceX and others have convincingly put them to the sword. Even ULA is at risk - what they do have going for them is their overall success rate, but it comes at a cost of 2-3x the cost of a launch when compared to SpaceX. I mean ULA got ride of the rocket Starliner flies on… and they have only kept enough for the 'required' Starliner missions… that is old space for you… |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/2/2024 10:35:43 AM EST
[#20]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Considering those two have been waiting for YEARs to get this Boeing Crapsule to space… I would venture retirement is a likely outcome regardless of how they get back. Or maybe they'll go back to Astronaut management positions, which many often do if they want to stay on with NASA. The 'crew' for this test flight has changed several times - at first they had a younger / newer astronaut involved as well - but considering the delays she got rotated to a SpaceX Dragon ride, along with a number of others who were slated to fly on Boeings first 'post qual' mission flights. This is the death throes of old space… they still have some legacy programs and will likely not go down without more fighting, but SpaceX and others have convincingly put them to the sword. Even ULA is at risk - what they do have going for them is their overall success rate, but it comes at a cost of 2-3x the cost of a launch when compared to SpaceX. I mean ULA got ride of the rocket Starliner flies on… and they have only kept enough for the 'required' Starliner missions… that is old space for you… Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Both could retire after they get back. Remember that this first flight originally had three people on it. One was a Boeing guy...Ferguson possibly.. who was an ex-NASA astronaut. He dropped out a few years ago for "family reasons" or similar. It would not surprise me if he saw problems and preferred to live. Considering those two have been waiting for YEARs to get this Boeing Crapsule to space… I would venture retirement is a likely outcome regardless of how they get back. Or maybe they'll go back to Astronaut management positions, which many often do if they want to stay on with NASA. The 'crew' for this test flight has changed several times - at first they had a younger / newer astronaut involved as well - but considering the delays she got rotated to a SpaceX Dragon ride, along with a number of others who were slated to fly on Boeings first 'post qual' mission flights. This is the death throes of old space… they still have some legacy programs and will likely not go down without more fighting, but SpaceX and others have convincingly put them to the sword. Even ULA is at risk - what they do have going for them is their overall success rate, but it comes at a cost of 2-3x the cost of a launch when compared to SpaceX. I mean ULA got ride of the rocket Starliner flies on… and they have only kept enough for the 'required' Starliner missions… that is old space for you… Thas a good point. Even if they are not on a flight roster, their expertise is invaluable. |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/2/2024 11:29:00 AM EST
[#21]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I suspect that they will attempt to have it return successfully. That data could be essential if they really try to use it for operational missions...which I doubt will happen. Even if everything else goes perfectly the best case scenario for Starliner would probably be one flight to the ISS a year until it's decommissioned in 2030. Though there are various private companies working on their own space stations. None are expected to use Starliner for obvious reasons. The Atlas booster is on borrowed time. Vulcan would have to be man rated to launch Starliner and that would be money coming out of Boeings pockets. Without a space station to go to the only remaining option for Starliner would be scientific free flights and clearly it would not be as good at that as the Space Shuttle was. |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/2/2024 4:33:04 PM EST
[#22]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Get paid on time? Or the net 30 pricing after at least 180 days? Contracting attempted that with two relatively small CRAD contracts I had with small businesses and I raised hell to get them paid. The contracts office operated like a bureaucracy heavy DMV, and nothing moved until it passed through each bottleneck. Exactly the opposite was needed during the JSF proposal phase. (Fucked up airplane, or not.) |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/2/2024 4:42:38 PM EST
[#23]
Quote HistoryQuoted: It would seem prudent to bring the two astronauts back in another vehicle if available. The possibility of sacrificing two individuals is just not worth it. I suspect the stranded vehicle can fly itself back sans the astronauts. I would have already applied for a SpaceX gig while I was stranded up there...but you gotta come get me for the final interview... |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/2/2024 5:59:33 PM EST
[#24]
If I were the crew, I would be begging and pleading publicly for Musk to rescue me. (*I'm assuming they have video conferencing with family on Earth?)
That way NASA is pretty much damned if they don't. Sure, my astronaut career is shit, but at least I survive. Musk would probably hire them anyway, just to poke Boeing in the eye. |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/2/2024 6:33:45 PM EST
[#25]
"Last month, NASA issued a contract to SpaceX to study the feasibility of flying more than four astronauts on Crew Dragon. There is hypothetically room for six people in the vehicle. While NASA claims this study is unrelated to the issues with Starliner, SpaceX has reportedly identified flight suits that can fit Wilmore and Williams. This would allow them to return to Earth on the Crew-8 spacecraft that is currently docked at the ISS or on Crew-9, which will launch on Aug. 8. In the latter case, NASA is considering sending just two astronauts up on that mission to ensure there is room for Wilmore and Williams."
Source I saw the $200,000 plus contract listed in a YouTube video but did not know what it was for. I was under the impression that Crew Dragon could carry six or seven people. |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/2/2024 7:58:32 PM EST
[#26]
|
|
|
|
Posted: 8/2/2024 8:07:31 PM EST
[#27]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GUBH4szXoAAU9a9?format=jpg&name=900x900 None of the on orbit tests by definition can include a long duration firing of the thrusters. Those tests (especially the simulations) are useless. |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/2/2024 8:12:01 PM EST
[#28]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GUBH4szXoAAU9a9?format=jpg&name=900x900 None of those final four have squat-all to do with the systems on board the buggy currently parked at the ISS. Simulate all you want, but what is THAT capsule doing that you don't want it to do? |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/2/2024 8:18:24 PM EST
[#29]
|
|
|
|
Posted: 8/2/2024 8:38:31 PM EST
[#30]
Quote HistoryQuoted: None of the on orbit tests by definition can include a long duration firing of the thrusters. Those tests (especially the simulations) are useless. Aren't these RCS thrusters a pulse fire type? Eta: They're only used for minor movements and attitude correction |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/2/2024 9:18:05 PM EST
[#31]
You know, this is really a super easy decision.
Well, unless your priority is saving face and not the lives of two human beings. |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/2/2024 9:20:13 PM EST
[#32]
What they could do, is send Starliner back down sans astronauts and if its successful, just send it back up to get the astronauts.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 8/4/2024 3:09:15 PM EST
[#33]
Quote HistoryQuoted: What they could do, is send Starliner back down sans astronauts and if its successful, just send it back up to get the astronauts. My view is that Starliner is done. Assume that some teflon seals really are the problem. How much time is needed to replace them with something that "may" work? Are they going to do another unmanned flight test then another Crew Flight test? Figure out the best way to have them return on Crew Dragon and let whatever happens to Boeing happen. |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/4/2024 3:11:24 PM EST
[#34]
Quote HistoryQuoted: What they could do, is send Starliner back down sans astronauts and if its successful, just send it back up to get the astronauts. I suppose they could do that. But best case scenario it would take many months to get another Atlas and Starliner ready to launch. |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/4/2024 3:17:54 PM EST
[#35]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I suppose they could do that. But best case scenario it would take many months to get another Atlas and Starliner ready to launch. No doubt. There is a Crew Dragon ready to go around 18 August 2024. Currently four people on it. Do they send up two with IVA suits for Butch and Sunni then come back and send Crew-9 up in a month? Suitable boosters may not be an issue. Is there another Crew Dragon that could be sent up in a month or so for the full Crew-9? Or send up four and leave two there as a reduced Crew-9. That won't work since they would not have a capsule to get home in an emergency. I would still be very pleased if they could secretly get Musk up on the Uber flight. |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/4/2024 3:19:24 PM EST
[#36]
|
|
|
|
Posted: 8/4/2024 3:26:39 PM EST
[#37]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
What is the confidence that the assertion is valid? NASA sure is not saying that but NASA has been less than forthcoming during this event. What failed? Do an internet search for Starliner and there are multiple articles that resort to sensational words like "stranded" and questionable comments of gloom and doom. Maybe this week NASA will man up and just outline the schedule for the SpaceX Uber flight. |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/4/2024 3:59:40 PM EST
[#38]
Quote HistoryQuoted: What is the confidence that the assertion is valid? NASA sure is not saying that but NASA has been less than forthcoming during this event. What failed? Do an internet search for Starliner and there are multiple articles that resort to sensational words like "stranded" and questionable comments of gloom and doom. Maybe this week NASA will man up and just outline the schedule for the SpaceX Uber flight. CNBC This is just one example. None are official channels but they haven't been forthcoming since this thing launched. For example, we didn't know there were thrusters that failed before docking nor did we know the crew ended up manually flying the thing beyond the normal short tests. |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/4/2024 4:18:44 PM EST
[#39]
Quote HistoryQuoted: CNBC This is just one example. None are official channels but they haven't been forthcoming since this thing launched. For example, we didn't know there were thrusters that failed before docking nor did we know the crew ended up manually flying the thing beyond the normal short tests. If you were watching the NASA channel for the docking, you would have known. I watched it play out. If you listen to all of the telecons that were streaming (still available to watch), you would know which thruster is deselected and which 4 thrusters the computer kicked offline before docking. You would even know which He legs have the leak. The reference designations have been provided for all of these things. All 4 of those thrusters werr up and running before it docked and 27 of the 28 are at 97-102% thrust currently. |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/4/2024 4:19:27 PM EST
[#40]
How much Boeing stock is Pelosi sitting on?
|
|
|
|
Posted: 8/4/2024 5:33:56 PM EST
[#41]
What's the deal with the suits that make them proprietary and incompatible accross brands? You would think that there would be some commonality in fittings and life support systems?
Just wondering, and I not even sure it matters. If the shit is hitting the fan jumping into the life pod takes priority over a fart bag! |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/4/2024 5:35:12 PM EST
[#42]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I suppose they could do that. But best case scenario it would take many months to get another Atlas and Starliner ready to launch. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: What they could do, is send Starliner back down sans astronauts and if its successful, just send it back up to get the astronauts. I suppose they could do that. But best case scenario it would take many months to get another Atlas and Starliner ready to launch.  FogHorn LegHorn “It’s A Joke Boy. You Missed It.” |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/4/2024 7:23:26 PM EST
[#43]
Quote HistoryQuoted: What's the deal with the suits that make them proprietary and incompatible accross brands? You would think that there would be some commonality in fittings and life support systems? Just wondering, and I not even sure it matters. If the shit is hitting the fan jumping into the life pod takes priority over a fart bag! You'd think that after Apollo 13 certain things like life support would be standardized. I know why the command module and lem had different CO2 cartridges, the vehicles were different contractors, but since then that kind of stuff, including space/pressure suits should have been standardized. |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/4/2024 7:25:26 PM EST
[#44]
Cygnus launched with a leak issue this morning then they missed 2 burns. Did Northrop Grumman hire the same DEI/H1B's from Boeing?
|
|
|
|
Posted: 8/4/2024 7:52:33 PM EST
[#45]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Cygnus launched with a leak issue this morning then they missed 2 burns. Did Northrop Grumman hire the same DEI/H1B's from Boeing?
Geez, do we have enough Get Better Soon greating cards? |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/5/2024 12:01:37 PM EST
[#46]
The following is not verified by NASA:
"NASA is planning to significantly delay the launch of the Crew 9 mission to the International Space Station due to ongoing concerns about the Starliner spacecraft currently attached to the station. While the space agency has not said anything publicly, sources say NASA should announce the decision this week. Officials are contemplating moving the Crew-9 mission from its current date of August 18 to September 24, a significant slip. The Crew 9 delay is relevant to the Starliner dilemma for a couple of reasons. One, it gives NASA more time to determine the flight-worthiness of Starliner. However, there is also another surprising reason for the delay—the need to update Starliner’s flight software. Three separate, well-placed sources have confirmed to Ars that the current flight software on board Starliner cannot perform an automated undocking from the space station and entry into Earth’s atmosphere. At first blush, this seems absurd. After all, Boeing’s Orbital Flight Test 2 mission in May 2022 was a fully automated test of the Starliner vehicle. During this mission, the spacecraft flew up to the space station without crew on board and then returned to Earth six days later. Although the 2022 flight test was completed by a different Starliner vehicle, it clearly demonstrated the ability of the program's flight software to autonomously dock and return to Earth. Boeing did not respond to a media query about why this capability was removed for the crew flight test." Source |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/5/2024 12:15:47 PM EST
[#47]
Here is an article that takes the "failed Starliner" tweet and adds a lot of words. No justification for saying that the Starliner failed completely are given. Perhaps this week NASA will finally just admit that Starliner is coming back with no one on board and SpaceX will get Butch and Sunni.
It's Sounding Like Boeing's Starliner May Have Completely Failed |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/5/2024 10:31:19 PM EST
[#48]
Here is my guess as to how this will play out.
1) Crew-9 will fly with the planned four people...even if 4-6 weeks late. They serve a shortened or normal six month rotation. 2) SpaceX sends up another Crew Dragon before or after the Crew-9 launch with Isaacman and Musk on board to ferry Wilmore and Williams back to Earth. That is done at a huge price reduction to the NASA preferred "special club" using the two former NASA astronauts now working at Axiom. |
|
|
|
Posted: 8/5/2024 10:49:11 PM EST
[#49]
Space X needs to build more Dragons. I know the plan is for them to eventually be superseded by Starship, but they need to have more of the proven systems as insurance and to make up for the Starliner program not working out.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 8/5/2024 11:07:42 PM EST
[#50]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Space X needs to build more Dragons. I know the plan is for them to eventually be superseded by Starship, but they need to have more of the proven systems as insurance and to make up for the Starliner program not working out. I don't see Starship being man-rated. You are probably correct about more Crew Dragons. With Starliner almost surely out of the running to do operational missions, SpaceX should know if they need more Crew Dragons based upon expected flights plus a pad and flight limits per capsule. |
|
|
Win a FREE Membership!
Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!
You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.
AR15.COM is the world's largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types.
From hunters and military members, to competition shooters and general firearm enthusiasts, we welcome anyone who values and respects the way of the firearm.
Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more.
Copyright © 1996-2024 AR15.COM LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited.
AR15.Com reserves the right to overwrite or replace any affiliate, commercial, or monetizable links, posted by users, with our own.
