Boeing Might Cancel its Starliner CST-100 Program After Various Mishaps

In early June, following multiple delays and numerous issues, Boeing's Starliner CST-100 successfully launched, transporting a few astronauts to the International Space Station with plans to bring back the crew upon completion of their mission a few days later.

Originally intended for a brief stint at the International Space Station, the CST-100 encountered several problems, making a reliable return nearly impossible. After numerous evaluations, NASA decided that SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft would bring the astronauts back in February of the next year, turning what was supposed to be a short trip into an eight-month-long assignment.

Over the years, Boeing secured NASA's budget and orders for the development of the Starliner program, competing mainly against Elon Musk's SpaceX. NASA's choice of Boeing was strategic, ensuring that SpaceX would not monopolize the supply chain and potentially hold future missions hostage.

Despite exceeding budgets and multiple delays, with Reuters reporting that since 2016, technical failures, supply chain issues, and prolonged delays have led the Starliner project to exceed its budget by $1.6 billion, NASA initially continued its support for Boeing.

However, the situation now seems to be a significant setback for Boeing, especially since its astronauts have to rely on their competitor for return travel. This unexpected yet somewhat anticipated predicament highlights Boeing's internal management chaos, reminiscent of the issues faced by its commercial airplanes in the past years.

In an interview with Reuters, when asked about Boeing's future in NASA's commercial crew program, NASA's response was uncertain, stating that the immediate focus is the safe return of the CST-100, with Boeing bearing most of the costs.

Significantly, NASA's Inspector General criticized Boeing earlier this month for its delayed and over-budget contributions to NASA's Space Launch System for lunar missions.

Aviation analysts speculate that Boeing might ultimately cancel the Starliner program due to its complexity, especially considering Boeing's contemplation of selling its joint rocket launch business to Sierra Space. Additionally, Boeing's technical staff is increasingly moving to Musk's SpaceX and Bezos's Blue Origin.

In response to various speculations, Boeing stated:

Boeing continues to prioritize the safety of the crew and spacecraft, preparing for a safe and successful unmanned return as per NASA's requirements.

Note: Since the astronauts are confirmed to return via SpaceX's Dragon in February of the next year, the CST-100 will complete repairs or evaluations for an unmanned and remotely controlled return to Earth.