Boeing Starliner stuck in Space.

[John Kloehr]

From what I have been following, there is now a good understanding of the problems. Teflon seals for the hydrogen leaks, overheating for the thruster failures. Plus there are still forty days to go until the (arbitrary sounding) ninety day limit in orbit.

 

From what I am following, the next steps are to finish the evaluations for the test engines in the desert and for the rocket/capsule in orbit. Then need to finish reports and prepare presentations, which will go to an independent review board. The review board will need to, well, review and consider everything. I am sure this process, in the interests of safety, will get all the time it needs. Even if that is more than the remaining 40 days.

 

And it it takes up a bit more time than the remaining return window, then a call will go out to Elon to bring the astronauts home. At this point it will not be because the StarLiner is proven unsafe, just out of caution due to running out the clock on time in orbit.

 

Having more than one functioning solution isa good thing as space travel switches from government enterprise to private venture. I am OK with the scenario I outlined, a face-saving solution is better than risking lives unnecessarily. If bringing the rocket down under remote control works, then due caution was still warranted. And if StarLiner crashes, it was beyond the ninety day shelf life so still obviously the right decision to call on Elon for a fresh ride.

 

I am at this point predicting running out the clock. I am not going to say this is a bad path.

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

 

I have always been a great fan of Boeing Aircraft.  Still am.  However, from the information we have available, I have absolutely NO CONFIDENCE in using the Starliner for a crewed return.  There is is nothing safe about space travel as we know it.  It is without doubt a risky venture.  Some risks however, DO NOT calculate well at all.