Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, which launched on June 5 with astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore on board, will return to Earth without a crew. The unexpected decision comes after a joint discussion between Boeing and NASA, where concerns over the spacecraft’s thruster performance led NASA to opt against bringing the astronauts back on the Starliner.
Initially, the astronauts were scheduled to return on the Starliner. However, technical issues, including helium leaks and problems with the reaction control thrusters, caused significant delays. As a result, NASA decided to bring Williams and Wilmore back to Earth on a SpaceX vehicle. The Starliner, now uncrewed, is scheduled to perform an uncrewed descent on September 6.
The decision to return the Starliner without a crew has raised concerns about Boeing’s space program, especially given the company’s ongoing challenges in its aerospace division. Investors reacted to the news, with Boeing shares closing down by 2.79% on the day of the announcement.
Investors are awaiting further updates from Boeing, including insights from CFO Brian West at the upcoming Morgan Stanley Laguna Conference on September 13. This conference is expected to provide more information about Boeing’s plans for the Starliner program and how the company is addressing the technical challenges encountered.
