“We’re going to continue to take that hardware apart so that we can finally prove this,” Nappi said.
The Commercial Crew Program
Earlier this week, the Commercial Crew Program Control Board met to discuss Starliner’s return. These Program Control Boards (PCBs) are a standard part of NASA’s decision-making process, designed to elevate any risks to the agency’s highest levels of authority. The PCB, chaired by Commercial Crew program manager Steve Stich, did not reach a decision on whether to proceed with a flight readiness review, leaving the next major agency step in limbo.
Return planning will continue into the coming weeks, with NASA anticipating further PCB meetings to address this issue. However, the lack of a concrete resolution highlights the complexity of the situation and the stakes involved.
Starliner Record in Question
This mission was intended to demonstrate Boeing’s capability to conduct lengthy crewed missions to and from the ISS, a crucial component of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. However, the mission has turned into a costly debacle, casting doubt on Boeing’s future in the program.
