Boeing Starliner: Safety Concerns and Future Uncertainties

NASA's annual safety review commended the agency's prioritization of astronaut safety in handling Boeing's troubled Starliner mission, but also highlighted multiple thruster failures and helium leaks during launch and re-entry. A new thruster failure was even discovered during the return trip. The report criticized ambiguous roles and responsibilities between NASA and Boeing, potentially leading to contractors making risk management decisions. Furthermore, the report questioned the future need for Starliner after the ISS decommissioning (post-2030), citing numerous certification challenges including battery redesign, airbag reinforcement, and schedule/budget concerns. In contrast, SpaceX's Crew Dragon has successfully flown numerous missions. Two astronauts stranded on the ISS due to Starliner issues will return aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon.