Boeing's Starliner Program Faces $2 Billion in Losses and Uncertain Future
Technical failures and delays have plagued the spacecraft, raising questions about its viability as NASA shifts focus to SpaceX for crewed missions.
- Boeing reported $523 million in losses for the Starliner program in 2024, bringing total losses to over $2 billion since its inception.
- The spacecraft's first crewed test flight in June 2024 suffered propulsion failures and helium leaks, forcing NASA to return the astronauts aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon instead.
- NASA has postponed Starliner's next flight indefinitely, citing unresolved thruster issues and the need for further system certification before operational missions can proceed.
- Boeing has hinted at the possibility of exiting its space business, including the Starliner program, as it struggles with mounting costs and technical challenges.
- NASA has extended SpaceX's contract for ISS crew rotations while Starliner's future remains unclear, with the ISS set to retire around 2030.