The Boeing Starliner saga has been a monumental undertaking for NASA, but recently uncovered information reveals that the situation could have been even more dire. Reports suggest that NASA was considering exclusively using Boeing’s Starliner as the commercial spacecraft to transport astronauts to and from the International Space Station (ISS). This decision was made as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, which aimed to develop spacecraft capable of carrying crew and cargo to the ISS.
In 2014, NASA awarded contracts to both Boeing and SpaceX to fulfill this mission. While SpaceX has excelled in its assignments and successfully transported eight crews to the ISS since November 2020, Boeing faced major setbacks during its initial attempts. On September 6, 2021, the Starliner undocked from the ISS and returned to Earth, leaving its crew stranded due to multiple technical issues that rendered the spacecraft unfit to carry the astronauts back home. These issues included the failure of five thrusters and the development of five helium leaks, one of which was discovered prior to liftoff. Ultimately, NASA decided to return an uncrewed Starliner and bring back the crew on SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft.
With the benefit of hindsight, it is clear that choosing Boeing as the sole commercial partner would have been a disastrous move for NASA. However, at the time, Boeing seemed like the more reliable choice while SpaceX was seen as a flashy newcomer that had yet to prove itself. NASA officials leaned towards Boeing and almost allocated the entire Commercial Crew budget to the company, leaving SpaceX out of the equation.
According to sources in Eric Berger’s book “Reentry: SpaceX, Elon Musk and the Reusable Rockets that Launched a Second Space Age,” a meeting was held with spaceflight advisors and senior NASA officials to discuss the selection of Boeing or SpaceX. The majority of the attendees favored Boeing over SpaceX, and NASA had initially planned to grant a contract to only one company due to budget constraints. Phil McAlister, NASA’s head of the Commercial Crew program, stated that there wasn’t enough budget for two companies at the time, leading to the assumption that only one would be awarded the contract.
During the evaluation process, the companies were scored based on price, mission suitability, and past performance. SpaceX had a lower bid of $2.6 billion compared to Boeing’s $4.2 billion. However, Boeing had an advantage in the other two categories. It received an “excellent” rating for mission suitability, indicating its assessed ability to safely transport crew to and from the ISS. In contrast, SpaceX received a “very good” rating. Boeing also scored a “very high” rating based on past performance, while SpaceX received a rating of “high.” Interestingly, Boeing’s refusal to perform an in-flight test of the Starliner’s abort system became a critical factor. NASA’s head of safety and mission assurance deemed Boeing’s bid unsatisfactory due to their unwillingness to conduct an in-flight test, while SpaceX’s bid had a lower price, making it a more attractive option for NASA.
The decision between Boeing and SpaceX was so close that NASA had to rewrite its Commercial Crew contract to include both companies. Initially, the contract drafted only appointed Boeing. However, the close competition and Boeing’s refusal to perform an in-flight test forced NASA to reconsider its options and choose both companies.
This decision had significant consequences for the future of NASA’s space missions. SpaceX’s Dragon crew capsule allowed NASA to end its reliance on Russian partnership and gain access to the ISS at a much lower cost. In contrast, Boeing has fallen behind and lost some of the credibility it had gained from its long-standing reputation in the aerospace industry. This ongoing saga between the two companies highlights the growing pains of the spaceflight industry and the importance of keeping up with its increasing demands.
If NASA had solely chosen Boeing as a safe option instead of creating competition in the industry, the space agency would be in a much worse position today. The decision to include SpaceX has opened up new possibilities and advancements in space exploration, allowing NASA to develop robust partnerships and push the boundaries of what is possible in space travel.
In conclusion, the fateful meeting that took place 10 years ago could have had dire consequences if NASA had chosen Boeing as its sole commercial partner. The subsequent issues faced by the Starliner have highlighted the value of competition in the spaceflight industry and the need for multiple options to ensure the success and safety of astronauts. By including SpaceX in its Commercial Crew Program, NASA has been able to break free from its reliance on Russia and create a more cost-effective approach to space travel. This decision has propelled the industry forward and paved the way for future advancements in space exploration.
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