NASA is eager to get space exploration underway as soon as possible, which may explain why
the organization is more confidence in working with SpaceX than any other space company.
And since NASA's objective is comparable to that of SpaceX and Elon Musk, both companies
need to work together to execute the necessary preparations to accomplish the goal of success
in space exploration.
However, the new decision taken by NASA will have an impact on the alleged Boeing mission,
which was nearly ready for flight.
Almost everything about the Boeing starliner capsule is in place — for example, it is
already affixed to an Atlas V rocket on the launchpad before the OFT-2 mission takes off.
As a result of the recent development, the aerospace giant Starliner capsule will be
suspended until further notice.
This is Tech Space. Make yourself a cup of coffee and settle into your favorite seat
as we examine why NASA opted to abandon the Boeing starliner trip and instead shift two
of its astronauts to SpaceX and assign them to a new mission. If you're new here, we specially
invite you to join many of our lovely fans. Kindly subscribe and click on the notification
bell; it motivates us to produce more fantastic content like this, and you'll have a lifetime
access to all of our high-end tech videos. Following the long delay of the Boeing's Starliner
spacecraft, NASA said on that it has transferred two astronauts from Boeing missions to a future
SpaceX flight.
Nicole Mann was getting ready to take out on a test flight of Boeing's Starliner spaceship
to the International Space Station, and Josh Cassada had been assigned to the craft's first
operational trip. However, since an uncrewed Starliner launch has been postponed indefinitely,
NASA said that the astronauts will be reassigned to SpaceX missions to allow Boeing time to
complete Starliner development.
According to NASA, Mann will be the commander and Cassada will be the pilot for the SpaceX
Crew-5 mission.
"Nicole and Josh have done an incredible job pioneering the training and road ahead for
astronauts to fly on Boeing's Starliner spacecraft," said Kathryn Lueders, NASA's Directorate of
Space Operations mission. She went on to say that both astronauts will use their skills
to travel in SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft.
NASA chose SpaceX and Boeing in 2014 to develop spacecraft for the agency's Commercial Crew
Program, which will transport US astronauts to and from the International Space Station.
However, problems with the Starliner spacecraft have slowed Boeing's launch. Boeing had planned
an uncrewed test trip.
But, Engineers discovered a valve fault on the spaceship's propulsion system hours before
launch, forcing Boeing to cancel the mission. Later, the company discovered that 13 valves
were not opening correctly, preventing the engine from firing up.
Boeing said that the Starliner had been returned to the manufacturer to be repaired, and that
the launch had been postponed indefinitely. In December 2019, Boeing tried an unmanned
test flight of Starliner, but the spacecraft deviated off course and burned through fuel
too soon. This means there wasn't enough fuel to go to the ISS and return to earth.
Boeing was a venerable giant with a more than 100-year aerospace legacy and a role in every
major moment in NASA's history, whereas Spacex was a relative upstart that was derided in
its early days as little more than a delusional billionaire's fantasy and that critics said
was building its rockets out of wax and rubber bands.
No one expected Elon Musk's SpaceX to beat Boeing to orbit. Some members of Congress
even questioned why NASA would bother granting contracts to two firms to develop capsules
that will transport astronauts to the International Space Station as part of NASA's Commercial
Crew Program.
However, the rivalry has gotten more fierce over the years, especially as SpaceX evolved
from a wealthy man's folly that no one took seriously to a disrupter that transformed
the aerospace industry.
SpaceX was first viewed as a long-shot that would never accomplish anything.
When contracts for the Commercial Crew Program were announced in 2014, Boeing won slightly
more than 60% of the $6.8 billion NASA allocated, receiving $4.2 billion compared to $2.6 billion
obtained by SpaceX for the same amount of work.
However, when it came to the mission of transporting humans, SpaceX may have had an advantage.
It has been transporting freight and supplies to the space station since 2012, giving it
plenty of experience in hauling spacecraft into orbit and having them meet up and dock
with the station. Its Falcon 9 rocket currently has a rich history, having flown missions
not just for NASA but also for the commercial sector.
In Musk's own words:
“We had to be super scrappy, If we did it the standard way, we would have run out of
money. For many years, we were week to week on cash flow, within weeks of running out
of money. It definitely creates a mind-set of smart spending. Be scrappy or die: Those
were our two options. Buy scrap components, fix them up, make them work.”
Boeing, on the other hand, was used to the cost-plus contracts that were often employed
on large government projects, such as its Space Launch System rocket, which allowed
higher spending and longer timeframes.
However, Boeing has recently struggled. Its test mission without people aboard its Starliner
spaceship went horribly wrong from the time it entered orbit late last year. The onboard
computers of the spacecraft were 11 hours off, causing the autonomous spacecraft to
believe it was in a different stage of the mission. It was difficult for controllers
on the ground to communicate with it.
Later, the corporation identified another software flaw that would have compromised
the crew module's separation from the service module. As a result, Boeing plans to re-fly
the test mission, which it expects to complete by the end of 2021.
Inside the company, managers were mortified by the setback, which came on the heels of
the catastrophic accidents of two 737 Max aircraft. It also resulted in a role reversal.
Boeing, formerly a dependable partner, was now being scrutinized by NASA, which said
it had been slack in its control of the business.
NASA also said that after initially granting Boeing a pass, the agency will do a comprehensive
safety examination of the corporation, as it did with SpaceX when Musk was caught using
marijuana on a podcast live on the Internet.
According to one industry insider, Boeing executives "can't comprehend" SpaceX is flying
passengers first. "People are irritated by Elon — how can this guy who smokes puff
defeat us?" said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the individual
was not allowed to comment publicly.
Musk previously told The Washington Post that SpaceX was allowed to grow because the large
aerospace corporations didn't believe it could ever be successful.
"They messed up because they were arrogant and complacent," he said. "Look, Boeing does
not get out of bed for less than a billion dollars."
Boeing's answer was as confrontational, stating, "At the start of the twenty-first century,
before Musk joined the space industry, Boeing was constructing the International Space Station
alongside NASA, where we've kept humans safe and continually on orbit." While others speak
about dreams and hopes, we really accomplish things in space and will fulfill America's
promise to the Mars mission. That is why we get out of bed."
Recently, Boeing and SpaceX clashed over the Commercial Crew Program when a NASA inspector
general study revealed that the average cost of Boeing's Starliner would be $90 million
per astronaut, compared to $55 million for a seat on SpaceX's Dragon.
But Musk turned to Twitter to express his displeasure, writing, "This doesn't seem right,
it's not fair that Boeing receives so much more for the same thing."
Boeing reacted angrily to the story, stating, "It is true that our rival obtained a contract
years ago to create a cargo vehicle that eventually served as the foundation for their crew product."
Boeing completed all the projects under the Commercial Crew contract on a more condensed,
quicker timeline."
SpaceX scored another triumph when it was picked as one of three companies to get early
contracts to design a spacecraft capable of landing people on the moon; Boeing was not
one of them.
Musk's tone was dramatically different when Boeing's Starliner was in difficulties after
reaching orbit late last year. He added a touch of empathy after suffering through multiple
unsuccessful missions.
"Orbit is hard," he tweeted. "Best wishes for a safe landing and a quick recovery to
the next mission."
Earlier this year, Starliner was on the launchpad for Boeing's second attempt at an orbital
flight test. The first attempt in 2019 was a failure owing to technical issues that prevented
the spacecraft from reaching the space station. Before it can begin flying regular missions,
Boeing must pass the re-test and then perform a crewed test. Since last year, SpaceX has
been doing so.
What a pity Boeing will be in the face of SpaceX right now.
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