Fri Sep 13 12:48:01 UTC 2024: ## Boeing’s Silence Raises Concerns as Starliner Returns to Earth
**New Mexico** – Boeing’s Starliner capsule returned to Earth early Saturday morning, completing a tumultuous test flight plagued by technical issues. While the capsule landed safely, Boeing’s conspicuous absence from NASA’s post-landing briefing has raised questions about the company’s commitment to transparency and the future of the Starliner program.
Boeing officials had been slated to participate in the briefing, but their chairs were removed from the dais shortly before the event. NASA representatives stated that Boeing had “deferred” to NASA to represent the mission.
Boeing’s limited public statements and lack of participation in recent briefings contrast with the initial collaboration between NASA and Boeing during the summer, when the company’s representatives were actively involved in discussing the Starliner’s technical issues.
The capsule’s recent mission, intended to demonstrate Boeing’s capability to ferry astronauts to and from the International Space Station, was riddled with problems. Helium leaks and thruster malfunctions forced the spacecraft to remain docked with the station for months longer than initially planned.
Ultimately, NASA chose to bring the astronauts home on a SpaceX spacecraft, sending the Starliner back to Earth uncrewed.
The Starliner program has been plagued by delays and cost overruns. It is now more than $1.5 billion over budget and years behind schedule. The program faced similar setbacks during a 2019 uncrewed test flight, which had to be repeated in 2022.
The recent silence from Boeing has fueled concerns about the program’s future. NASA has expressed its commitment to certifying both Boeing and SpaceX for routine flights to the International Space Station, but the company’s lack of communication and limited public presence have raised questions about its ability to meet this goal.
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