NASA Delays SpaceX Crew Launch to Analyse Boeing Starliner Issues

NASA announced on Tuesday that it has delayed the planned SpaceX launch of astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) by a month. This decision allows more time for analysing issues with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, currently docked at the ISS.

New Launch Date for SpaceX Crew Dragon

The SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft was initially set to launch four astronauts to the ISS on August 18. However, NASA has rescheduled this mission, named Crew-9, to no earlier than September 24. The agency explained that this adjustment provides mission managers with additional time to finalise return planning for Boeing’s Crew Flight Test.

Extended Starliner Mission and Technical Challenges

In June, Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft launched its first two astronauts to the ISS as a critical test mission. This test is required before NASA can certify Starliner for routine astronaut flights, a milestone achieved by SpaceX’s Crew Dragon in 2020. The Starliner mission, expected to last about eight days, has faced numerous issues with the craft’s propulsion system, extending the mission duration significantly.

These propulsion problems have raised concerns about Starliner’s ability to safely return its crew, NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, to Earth. NASA is currently evaluating whether a Crew Dragon capsule might be necessary to bring the astronauts home, although no final decisions have been made regarding Starliner’s return.

Financial Impact on Boeing

The delays and technical challenges have been costly for Boeing. Securities filings indicate that the company has incurred $125 million in costs due to the mission delays, bringing its total loss on the Starliner programme to $1.6 billion since 2016. Boeing continues to struggle to develop a competitive spacecraft against SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, which is not only more experienced but also less expensive.