Boeing's Starliner: A Costly Spacecraft with a Troubled History
NASA's Investment in Commercial Spaceflight
In 2014, NASA selected Boeing and SpaceX to develop commercial crew spacecraft under the Commercial Crew Program (CCP). Boeing received a fixed-price contract worth $42 billion for the CST-100 Starliner, while SpaceX received $26 billion for the Crew Dragon.
Cost Comparison: Starliner vs. Crew Dragon
Based on the number of flights each company will provide NASA and the lifetime cost of the International Space Station (ISS), NASA estimates that it will pay approximately $90 million for each astronaut who flies on the Starliner to the ISS.
Factors Contributing to High Costs:
- Delays and cost overruns in Starliner's development
- Boeing's absorption of additional costs
In contrast, the estimated average cost per seat for SpaceX's Crew Dragon is lower at $55 million.
Starliner's Troubled History
The Starliner program has faced numerous delays and technical challenges. Boeing has reported $16 billion in charges to cover these issues.
Notable Issues:
- Software glitches during uncrewed flight tests
- Structural defects in the spacecraft
- Corrosion and other maintenance problems
These issues have raised concerns about the Starliner's reliability and safety.
Conclusion
Boeing's Starliner has been a costly endeavor for NASA, with an estimated cost of $90 million per astronaut seat compared to SpaceX's Crew Dragon at $55 million. The spacecraft's troubled history, including delays and технические проблемы, has further contributed to its high cost.
As NASA continues to invest in commercial spaceflight, it is important to consider the cost-effectiveness and reliability of the Starliner program.
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