Starliner Flight Delayed, NASA Forced To Order Additional Flights To SpaceX

Boeing's Starliner is again experiencing flight delays. (photo: Boeing starliner)

JAKARTA - Boeing's ongoing Starliner delays have prompted NASA to hedge the stakes. SpaceNews reports NASA plans to order as many as three more manned SpaceX flights to ensure "uninterrupted" US passage to the International Space Station as soon as 2023.

As reported by Engadget, Crew Dragon is a company with the only system that meets the state's requirements as partners and safety requirements within the necessary time lag, the agency said. In other words, NASA doesn't want no rides to the ISS if Boeing isn't ready.

NASA is pleased Boeing is focusing on "safety over schedule" for the Starliner after delaying a second orbital test to investigate an oxidizer isolation valve issue. However, it still leaves the administration tied up and burdened. It was "important" to get additional flights at this time to maintain a US foothold on the ISS, said the association's administrator, Kathy Lueders.

This does not harm the Boeing capsule. NASA still wants two different crew systems to guarantee redundancy, and plans to alternate between Crew Dragon and Starliner once both are available. Officials also stressed that the deal did not prevent NASA from changing the contract to get additional flights.

Even so, the purchase in question is a major blow to Boeing. Starliner plays a key role in Boeing's commercial space flight program and, unofficially, serves as proof that the veteran air transport company can compete with fast-moving 'newcomers' like SpaceX in the private space race.

NASA's backup plan on Crew Dragon reflects a loss of confidence in Boeing, even if the move is only temporary.

SpaceX itself has proven to have shown consistency in carrying out missions to bring NASA astronauts to the ISS. In fact, they have received a contract on a mission to the Moon which further demonstrates their dominance in space travel compared to Boeing, or other space aviation companies.