What does this decision mean for NASA?
While they suffered some early failures during testing, they aggressively built, tested and learned from each failure.
In 2020,SpaceX successfully launchedits first test crew to the International Space Station.
Boeing’s Starliner shortly after undocking from the ISS on September 6, 2024.Image: NASA
Meanwhile, Boeing struggled through some development setbacks.
The outcome of this first test flight is a huge disappointment for Boeing and NASA.
NASA is also continuing itsexchange partnership with Russia.
This partnership provides the agency with multiple ways to get crew members to and from the space station.
Having Starliner as an option will help with that redundancy.
What does this decision mean for Boeing?
I do think Boeings reputation is going to ultimately suffer.
The company is going head-to-head with SpaceX.
Now, the SpaceX Dragon crew spacecrafthas several flights under its belt.
It has proven a reliable way to get to and from the space station.
Its important to remember that this was a test flight for Starliner.
Unsurprisingly, some problems cropped upyou expect them in a test flight.
The space environment is unforgiving.
A small problem can become catastrophic in zero gravity.
Its hard to replicate these situations on the ground.
NASA has evolved and made strategic moves to advance its mission over the past two decades.
The agency has leaned into its legacy of thinking outside the box.
It was an innovative move to break from tradition and leverage commercial competitors to advance the program.
What does this decision mean for Starliners crew?
I knowButch WilmoreandSuni Williamsas rock-solid professionals, and I believe their first thoughts are about completing their mission safely.
They are both highly experienced astronauts with previous long-duration space station experience.
Im sure they are taking this in stride.
This kind of unfavorable outcome is always a possibility in a test mission.
Their families shoulder the bigger impact.
More people means more consumables like food and clothing required.
What does this decision mean for the future?
Human spaceflight is excruciatingly hard and relentlessly unforgiving.
A million things must go right to have a successful mission.
Its impossible to fully understand the performance of systems in a microgravity environment until theyre tested in space.
NASA has had numerous failures and near-missesin the quest to put Americans on the Moon.
They lost theApollo 1 crew in a fireduring a preflight test.
After having no other U.S. options for over 30 years, three different human spacecraft programs are now underway.
Michael E. Fossumis vice president ofTexas A&M University.
This article is republished fromThe Conversationunder a Creative Commons license.
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