NASA Nearly Bet It All on Boeing’s Troubled Starliner—Here’s Why That Changed
Ten years ago, NASA nearly chose a single spacecraft provider, a decision that would have left SpaceX out of the picture, and set the stage for a disastrously limited future.
It’s hard to imagine a more stressful version of the Boeing Starliner saga, but an insider’s look into a fateful meeting that took place 10 years ago reveals that things could have been much worse.
In 2014, NASA awarded contracts to Boeing and SpaceX to develop commercial spacecraft capable of carrying crew and cargo to the International space Station (ISS). However, NASA was reportedly considering going aLL in on Boeing, selecting the company's Starliner as the only commercial spacecraft used to transport its astronauts to and from the ISS. This decision was ultimately averted due to Boeing's disastrous first launch and NASA's decision to choose both companies.
Boeing's Starliner, which launched on June 5, 2019, carrying NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunni Williams, experienced multiple issues during its maiden voyage. The spacecraft suffered from five thruster failures and five helium leaks, prompting NASA to run tests on the ground to identify the main issue behind the thruster glitch. Despite these issues, the mission teams decided to return an uncrewed Starliner and bring back its crew on board SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft.
NASA evaluated the companies based on price, mission suitability, and past performance. SpaceX had a lower bid of $2.6 billion, while Boeing asked for $4.2 billion. Boeing received an "excellent" rating for mission suitability, while SpaceX received a "very good" rating. Boeing also scored a "very high" rating based on past performance, while SpaceX received a rating of "high".
However, Boeing's refusal to perform an in-flight test of Starliner's abort system became a critical factor in NASA's decision-making process. NASA's head of safety and mission assurance deemed the company's bid as unsatisfactory, citing concerns over the spacecraft's reliability and safety. SpaceX's bid, on the other hand, had a lower asking price, making it possible for NASA to consider picking two companies instead of one.
The decision was so close that NASA had to rewrite its Commercial Crew contract to include both companies. If NASA had only chosen Boeing as its sole commercial partner, the consequences would have been dire. Boeing's Starliner would have been the only spacecraft used to transport NASA astronauts to and from the ISS, leaving the agency reliant on a troubled spacecraft. NASA would have also lost the opportunity to work with SpaceX, which has since become a reliable partner.
The ongoing tale of Boeing and SpaceX illustrates the growing pains of the spaceflight industry. The competition between the two companies has driven innovation and improved the quality of their spacecraft. NASA's decision to choose both companies has allowed the agency to benefit from the competition and has given it more options for transporting its astronauts to and from the ISS.
The benefits of competition are evident in the spaceflight industry. The rivalry between Boeing and SpaceX has pushed both companies to innovate and improve their spacecraft. NASA's decision to choose both companies has given the agency more flexibility and options for its space missions. The competition has also driven down costs and improved the overall quality of the spacecraft.
In conclusion, NASA's close call with choosing Boeing as its sole commercial partner highlights the importance of competition in the spaceflight industry. The agency's decision to choose both Boeing and SpaceX has allowed it to benefit from the competition and has given it more options for transporting its astronauts to and from the ISS. The ongoing tale of the two companies serves as a reminder of the importance of innovation and competition in driving progress in the spaceflight industry.