Boeing’s Starliner mission is coming back to Earth — empty. After months of data analysis and internal deliberation, NASA leadership announced today that Starliner will be coming back to Earth in September, without a crew.

  • @Subtracty
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    232 months ago

    I can not imagine being one of the engineers that has to make big decisions like this. Glad they are being cautious, and I hope those astronauts are enjoying their unexpected space sabatical as much as that is possible.

    • @[email protected]
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      82 months ago

      This is the real deal. I’m so, so glad they’re trying to be 100% safe rather than save face or money.

  • @kippinitreal
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    52 months ago

    Is this common (extended stays in orbit) or is this another Boeing failure?

    • BrikoXOPM
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      2 months ago

      Very uncommon. Original plan was less than 14 days, and now it got extended to 8-12 months. Though astronauts seems to be happy as they get to do some spacewalks while stuck at ISS. But it’s bad news for Boeing. They had a fixed contract of 4.2 billion and had to pay additional 1.5 billion out of pocket and now their reputation is shot.

      • @SupraMario
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        62 months ago

        It’s going to be even worse, if this thing burns up on re-entry.

    • @Mathazzar
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      42 months ago

      Boeing failure. They were supposed to return long ago.