The Real Reason The Boeing Starliner Failed – VIDEO

A  Sad Story….  Video is below… we worth watching. Outline below for you.

1. Boeing’s Aerospace Legacy and Decline
   • Boeing was once a premier aerospace company trusted by NASA for decades.
   • The company’s culture shifted after acquiring McDonnell Douglas in 1997, prioritizing cost-cutting and shareholder profits over engineering excellence and safety.
2. Development of the Starliner
   • NASA funded Starliner’s development in 2010 under the Commercial Crew Program.
   • Boeing received significantly more funding ($4.2 billion) than SpaceX ($2.6 billion) but struggled with delays and technical failures.
3. Starliner’s Design and Technical Issues
   • Starliner features 52 thrusters for maneuverability, but their complexity introduces multiple points of failure.
   • In 2019, a software error caused Starliner to miss its intended orbit.
   • A 2018 abort system test resulted in fuel leaks and a fireball.
   • A 2021 launch attempt was canceled due to corroded fuel valves.
4. Crewed Test Flight and Malfunctions
   • The 2024 mission faced multiple launch delays due to technical problems.
   • Once in orbit, five thrusters failed, followed by helium leaks crucial to pressurizing the propulsion system.
   • Engineers managed to reactivate four thrusters, allowing Starliner to dock with the ISS, but uncertainties about the failures remain.
5. The 2024 Starliner Mission
   • The Boeing Starliner’s crewed test flight in 2024 was highly anticipated but became a story of failure rather than triumph.
   • Two astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, were left stranded at the International Space Station (ISS) due to technical issues.
6. Extended Stay at ISS and Uncertain Return
   • Originally planned for an 8-day mission, Butch and Sunny were left on the ISS for months while engineers investigated the thruster failures.
   • Since the failing thrusters were on Starliner’s service module (which burns up on re-entry), engineers couldn’t recover hardware for further testing.
   • NASA decided the astronauts would return to Earth on a SpaceX Crew Dragon in 2025, leaving Starliner to return autonomously.
7. Boeing’s Dilemma
   • Boeing still hasn’t identified the root cause of the thruster failures.
   • The company faces two bad options:
     • Cancel Starliner, failing its NASA contract and losing $4 billion.
     • Continue with Starliner, requiring more funding with no guarantee of success before the ISS is decommissioned.
8. Lessons Learned
   • The shift from an engineering-led Boeing to a profit-driven corporation has negatively impacted aerospace innovation.
   • Space exploration demands prioritizing engineering expertise over shareholder interests to regain the efficiency seen in the Apollo era.

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