NASA’s $4.2 billion gamble on Boeing’s Starliner has gone up in flames. Literally.
After months of internal bickering and data analysis, NASA leadership has finally admitted that the Starliner spacecraft is coming back to Earth without a crew. Meanwhile, astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams will be stuck on the International Space Station for an eternity, forced to endure endless spacewalks and mediocre cafeteria food until February 2025, when they’ll finally be rescued by SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft.
NASA’s excuse for the prolonged stay is that it’s “part of the research” and “spaceflight is risky.” But let’s be real, folks – this is just a cover-up for the fact that NASA has lost all faith in Boeing’s ability to deliver a functional spacecraft.
Boeing’s Starliner has been plagued by issues since its inception, from leaky thrusters to faulty propulsion systems. And yet, NASA has continued to pump millions of dollars into the program, despite the clear signs of failure. It’s like throwing good money after bad, hoping that somehow, someway, the Starliner will magically become a reliable spacecraft.
But the truth is, NASA has been playing a game of Russian roulette with the lives of its astronauts. By awarding contracts to both Boeing and SpaceX, NASA was trying to create a sense of competition and innovation. But in reality, it’s just a recipe for disaster. The lack of accountability and oversight has led to a culture of complacency and mediocrity, and it’s only a matter of time before someone gets hurt.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson’s statement that “spaceflight is risky” is just a cop-out. The real risk is not the spaceflight itself, but the reckless decisions made by NASA’s leadership. By putting profits over people, NASA has compromised its values and put the lives of its astronauts at risk.
So, will Starliner ever be able to launch a crewed mission to the ISS? Don’t hold your breath. NASA’s latest statement that they’re “100 percent” certain it will happen is just a PR stunt to placate the public. The truth is, the Starliner program is a sinking ship, and NASA is just trying to save face.
