Boeing Releases Statement on Starliner's Next Flight

After a series of embarrassments and errors involving the Boeing 737MAX program and the abortive Starliner development, the company has admitted it will have to refly the Starliner after an earlier launch attempt resulted in the vehicle being unable to reach the ISS as well as a number of other failed objectives.

In typical Boeing-speak, the company tried to make the situation seem a bit less embarrassing, stating, "The Boeing Company is honored to be a provider for the Commercial Crew mission.  We are committed to the safety of the men and women who design, build and ultimately will fly on the Starliner just as we have on every crewed mission to space.  We have chosen to refly our Orbital Flight Test to demonstrate the quality of the Starliner system. Flying another uncrewed flight will allow us to complete all flight test objectives and evaluate the performance of the second Starliner vehicle at no cost to the taxpayer. We will then proceed to the tremendous responsibility and privilege of flying astronauts to the International Space Station."

While the CST-100 vehicle was returned safely to Earth, the mission was beset with a number of errors, especially software and coding issues, suggesting some serious problems with Boeing spacecraft development and validation. According to Boeing, the mission will come 'at no cost to the taxpayer.'

FMI: www.boeing.com, www.nasa.gov