Boeing Suffers $125 Million Loss Due to Starliner Issues

The return date for the Starliner from the International Space Station has not yet been determined.

Additional Losses for Boeing

Boeing has reported an additional loss of $125 million due to delays in the Starliner spacecraft’s return to Earth. This recent launch, carrying NASA astronauts, has experienced technical issues, adding to a previous loss of $288 million, as disclosed in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Technical Challenges for the Spacecraft

The Starliner’s first crewed mission launched in June with NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams aboard, intending to dock at the International Space Station (ISS) for eight days before returning to Earth.

However, hardware problems forced deviations from the original schedule. “Boeing had to investigate and pinpoint the cause of the thruster degradation as the Starliner approached the ISS,” the report states.

A Series of Tests Conducted on the Starliner

Since June, Boeing has subjected the spacecraft to extensive testing, including a critical hot-fire test of the Starliner’s reaction control system on July 27, which confirmed that helium leakage rates remained within acceptable limits.

Wilmore and Williams were on board during these tests, part of the preparations for the spacecraft’s journey back to Earth. The test results are still under review by NASA and Boeing. Once both entities confirm the Starliner’s readiness, they will set a date for the spacecraft and astronauts’ return journey.