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What Next | Daily News and Analysis

How Boeing Stranded Two Astronauts

Aug 13, 2024
In this episode, space reporter Joey Roulette from Reuters dives into the mishaps surrounding Boeing's new reusable spacecraft, which has left two astronauts stranded at the International Space Station. He discusses the excitement of the initial mission rollout contrasted with the technical failures that followed. The podcast highlights communication frustrations between NASA and the press, the challenges faced by the astronauts in space, and compares Boeing's struggles with SpaceX's successes. It's a riveting look at the hurdles in modern space exploration.
27:22

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Boeing's Starliner mission faced critical safety challenges, including thruster failures and helium leaks, jeopardizing the astronauts' safe return home.
  • NASA's transparency issues regarding mission complications have raised skepticism about its management and future reliance on Boeing for crew transportation.

Deep dives

Challenges Faced During the Starliner Mission

The Boeing Starliner mission faced significant challenges, including helium leaks and thruster failures shortly after its launch, which raised concerns about the spacecraft's safety. Astronauts Sunny Williams and Butch Wilmore were on a test flight, but after arriving at the International Space Station, they experienced delays in their return and unexpected complications, such as five failed thrusters. NASA's original optimism about the mission quickly shifted as the risks became evident, leading to a reassessment of the Starliner's reliability. Despite successful docking, the issues highlighted the critical nature of the spacecraft's performance and the importance of transparency in communication with the public.

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