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3mo ago

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.

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Boeing's Starliner undocks from the International Space Station at the conclusion of the Crew Flight Test mission.
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Starliner undocking

Overview

  • 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.