NASA is growing increasingly uneasy about Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft after astronauts aboard the ISS reported strange noises and persistent thruster malfunctions, prompting a crew evacuation and reliance on SpaceX for return transport.
At a Glance
- NASA astronauts reported unusual noise originating from Starliner mid-mission.
- Ongoing thruster anomalies prevented Starliner from returning crew as planned.
- NASA opted to send astronauts home via SpaceX Crew Dragon instead.
- Boeing’s credibility is under scrutiny amid repeated technical setbacks.
- Internal investigations are underway to pinpoint persistent safety risks.
Bizarre Sounds and Malfunctioning Thrusters
NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore reported a “sonar-like” noise from Boeing’s Starliner while docked at the ISS, prompting initial fears of a mechanical failure. Engineers later traced it to an audio feed misconfiguration, not structural damage—but the unexplained sound underscored broader concerns about Starliner’s system integrity.
More seriously, Starliner’s thrusters failed during undocking simulations, leaving officials unsure whether the spacecraft could safely execute a deorbit burn. The malfunction followed earlier seal failures, helium leaks, and software glitches documented during its flight test campaign.
Watch a report: NASA solves ‘strange noises’ on Boeing Starliner
Crew Evacuated, Dragon Steps In
Facing unresolved thruster instability, NASA shelved Starliner’s crewed return and ordered Wilmore and fellow astronaut Suni Williams to remain aboard the ISS until SpaceX’s Crew Dragon could transport them back. The uncrewed Starliner was later flown home autonomously.
Despite the embarrassment, both astronauts voiced public support for the program, with Williams saying she would “get back on it in a heartbeat” (The Times).
Boeing’s Reputation Now in Orbit
The incident is the latest in a series of Boeing stumbles, from aviation safety crises to spaceflight missteps. Industry analysts warn that NASA’s confidence in Boeing is wearing thin, especially as its commercial crew contract hangs in the balance.
Internal reviews are now underway to resolve Starliner’s thruster issues before it can be certified for future missions. In the meantime, the rescue decision has spotlighted Boeing’s struggles to deliver a safe, reliable alternative to SpaceX—a comparison that grows more lopsided with each delay.
