In a striking blow to Boeing’s already tarnished reputation, NASA has announced that astronauts stranded aboard the International Space Station (ISS) due to the company’s malfunctioning Starliner capsule will be rescued by SpaceX, Elon Musk’s competitive newcomer to space exploration. This decision has left Boeing employees reeling with humiliation and frustration, according to sources within the company.
Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who embarked on what was supposed to be a short eight-day mission to the ISS in June, are now facing an extended wait of up to six months for their return home. The delay is due to significant issues with the Starliner, including a helium leak and malfunctioning thrusters. As a result, they will be rescued by SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft, scheduled for February 2025.
A Florida-based Boeing staffer, speaking under the condition of anonymity, expressed deep dissatisfaction with the situation. “We’re absolutely humiliated,” the worker told The Post. “With all the problems we’ve had this year, this is the final straw. We’ve had so many embarrassments lately, and this just made everything worse.”
The employee’s frustration is evident as they vented their displeasure towards SpaceX, despite the fact that the rival company is stepping in to provide a much-needed solution. “We hate SpaceX,” the worker admitted. “We talk trash about them all the time, and now they’re the ones bailing us out. It’s shameful. I’m embarrassed and horrified.”
Morale within Boeing is reportedly at an all-time low, with many employees placing the blame on NASA for the perceived embarrassment. Boeing had initially assured that the Starliner could safely bring the astronauts back to Earth, but after more than two months of extensive testing, NASA deemed it safer to rely on SpaceX’s proven Crew Dragon.
The Starliner capsule encountered several issues, including a significant helium leak before its launch and ongoing thruster failures after docking at the ISS. Although many of these problems were addressed, NASA decided that the safest course of action was to arrange for the astronauts’ return via SpaceX.
“They believed Starliner could bring them home safely, but NASA didn’t want to take any chances,” the Boeing insider said. “NASA doesn’t need any more PR disasters, and honestly, neither do we. We never would have recommended using Starliner if we thought it was unsafe.”
Steve Stich, NASA’s Commercial Crew Program manager, attributed the decision to a “disagreement about risk” with Boeing. Boeing, however, chose not to comment directly on NASA’s decision but instead focused on its commitment to ensuring the Starliner’s safety.
Boeing has already incurred about $1.5 billion in cost overruns beyond its initial $4.5 billion contract with NASA. The company’s troubles have been exacerbated by recent safety issues, including a door panel incident on an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 and multiple other malfunctions. Whistleblowers have raised serious concerns about safety and quality at Boeing, further damaging the company’s credibility.
As Boeing grapples with this latest setback, it remains to be seen how the company will recover its standing in the space industry. The reliance on SpaceX to resolve its issues only highlights the growing challenges facing Boeing in maintaining its role as a major player in aerospace.
