Part 5/10:
The first uncrewed test flight of Starliner in December 2019 turned disastrous when a timing error caused the spacecraft to lose its intended orbit, burning excessive fuel and ultimately rendering docking with the ISS impossible. A close call was narrowly avoided when software issues were discovered shortly before re-entry; Boeing labeled this event a "highly visible close call."
Things didn’t significantly improve in subsequent attempts. In 2021, yet another launch was postponed due to malfunctioning fuel valves from Aerojet Rocketdyne, an external company responsible for parts of Starling's propulsion system. This blame game between Boeing and Aerojet illustrated the deepening rifts that had formed within the industry.