NASA Still Trying To Launch Starliner, The Plane That Makes Boeing Lose IDR 32.9 Trillion

Starliner aircraft in space (photo: dock. NASA)

JAKARTA Starliner's first flight demonstration didn't go well, but NASA still had hope on the plane. In fact, Starliner has caused losses to Boeing.

To avoid the same mistake, namely leaving two astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS), NASA is exploring the unmanned test flight option. This is done so that NASA can ensure its safety first.

The potential launch of Starliner is still being pursued because Boeing remains committed to developing the aircraft. In fact, based on the cumulative calculations, Boeing suffered losses of up to IDR 32.9 trillion due to Starliner.

"I see Boeing's commitment to continuing the program. They realize that they have important vehicles, and we are very close to having the abilities we want to use," said Steve Stich, NASA's Commercial Crew Program Manager, quoted from Spacenews on Monday, March 24.

According to Stich, the commitment of Boeing and CEO Kelly Ortberg cannot be ignored. Boeing has done many ways to recover Starliner, from testing a new seal to eliminating helium leakage to testing its boosters.

When viewed from the amount of loss, Boeing should give up on Starliner. Whenever it reports its income, the amount of Starliner losses continues to grow as Boeing spends a lot of money to fix the helium leak problem.

Losses in each quarter are quite diverse, but the total is IDR 32.9 trillion. Although the losses are very large, Starliner's development is still continuing because Boeing and NASA believe in the future of the aircraft.

This time, NASA and Boeing will not be in a hurry to prepare a next Starliner test mission. They have not yet decided when Starliner will be flown back and when this aircraft will be part of the crew's rotation mission.