The Starliner drama has been a major setback for Boeing’s space ambitions, adding to years of struggle to get the capsule off the ground and keep up with rival company SpaceX.
The NASA and SpaceX relationship is just fine. There’s no real rush to bring them back, the ISS can accommodate them just fine.
This was always going to be the outcome as soon as there was a question about safety, regardless of what they said publicly. NASA has lost 14 astronauts due to poor managerial decisions throughout the Shuttle program. They don’t want to get near that if they don’t have to, and there have been alternatives since day one thanks to the Commercial Crew Program (and of course Russia/Soyuz if absolutely necessary).
I’m surprised NASA is letting SpaceX help them. I thought they were gonna say “I’ll do it myself” and twiddle their thumbs for a few more months.
The NASA and SpaceX relationship is just fine. There’s no real rush to bring them back, the ISS can accommodate them just fine.
This was always going to be the outcome as soon as there was a question about safety, regardless of what they said publicly. NASA has lost 14 astronauts due to poor managerial decisions throughout the Shuttle program. They don’t want to get near that if they don’t have to, and there have been alternatives since day one thanks to the Commercial Crew Program (and of course Russia/Soyuz if absolutely necessary).
NASA doesn’t have a vehicle for that any more since they killed the Shuttle. It’s either the Soyuz or private vehicles.