Boeing, one of the companies with a contract to provide spacecraft services, is facing challenges in its aviation and space sectors. Delays and technical issues have plagued the development of its Starliner spacecraft. The first test flight was initially scheduled for 2015 but was delayed until 2019 due to software glitches. Subsequent delays pushed the launch to May 2022, with issues arising in the spacecraft’s propulsion system.
NASA has shifted its focus from producing and sending spacecraft to purchasing the service from external companies like Musk’s SpaceX due to high operating costs that burden American taxpayers. SpaceX launched its crew on a test flight in 2020, putting Boeing four years behind. If successful, Starliner will be assigned to regular crew missions to the International Space Station. The possibility of more frequent flights to the station with Boeing’s entry into the market could increase opportunities for space exploration and research.
The Starliner spacecraft, designed for up to seven astronauts, will undergo testing with two astronauts to evaluate its systems. It will dock at the International Space Station for about 10 days before returning to Earth. Unlike previous American capsules that landed in the sea, Starliner will land on solid ground in the southwest United States using parachutes and airbags to cushion the landing.
