In a significant development, Ted Colbert, the head of Boeing’s Space segment, has resigned from the company. This news follows a string of challenges faced by the Starliner spacecraft, which has been plagued by technical issues and operational delays.
Colbert, who had been leading Boeing’s Defense, Space, and Security division since 2022, departed the company effective immediately, according to a memo sent to employees by CEO Kelly Ortberg. This departure comes on the heels of the Starliner’s troubled mission, which saw astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore stranded in space for longer than planned due to technical problems.
The Starliner was initially expected to bring the astronauts back to Earth within eight days, but a series of issues during docking forced NASA to cancel the return. Williams and Wilmore will now return to Earth aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft in February 2025, as part of the Crew-9 mission.
Beyond the Starliner’s troubles, Boeing’s Defense, Space, and Security division has been experiencing financial strain. The segment reported a substantial loss from operations of $1.76 billion in 2023, following a loss of $3.54 billion in 2022.
Colbert’s departure marks a significant change for Boeing’s space program. The company is now facing the challenge of resolving Starliner’s technical issues and restoring confidence in its space capabilities. The company is expected to appoint a new leader for the division in the coming months, with Steve Parker, the current Chief Operating Officer, taking the helm in the interim.
It remains to be seen how these developments will affect Boeing’s future in the space exploration sector. The company is facing intense competition from private space companies like SpaceX, which has become a dominant force in the industry.
