Starliner launches two Americans into orbit

[beschizza]

Originally published at: https://boingboing.net/2024/06/05/starliner-launches-two-americans-into-orbit.html

…

[Brainspore]

@beschizza

Boeing has competition, and it is behind: SpaceX’s Crew Dragon

Like we discussed in another thread there are currently three options for getting American astronauts into space:

1. Hitch a ride with a despotic authoritarian government currently waging a brutal war against a U.S. ally
2. Buy a spaceship from the company run by the fascist manchild who brought us the Cybertruck
3. Buy a spaceship from the company whose airplanes keep falling apart and whose whistleblowers keep mysteriously dying

Yay for options, I guess…

[fredtal]

After all the problems with this rocket and Boeing itself, not to mention the whole idea of being strapped to a rocket to space, these are braver folks than I.

[Elmer]

Let’s not get too excited yet. They still have to come down on the damned thing.

[Flanker7]

This isn’t “only the second manned U.S. mission to space since … 2011” or you and I are remembering Budapest very differently

[jhbadger]

I think this is counting the SpaceX flights as one “mission” over multiple launches in the same sense that the Apollo program was one mission.

[CanadianBeaver]

But…the public sector can’t do anything right. /s

[Thrull1]

I think this is the 9th NASA crew launch since the last Shuttle flight, all 8 previous ones have been by SpaceX, with 4 additional commercial launches some of which went to the ISS.

I think it’s great that Boeing finally conducted their launch and I’m hopeful that they are able to complete the mission safely.

I think to call Boeing “behind” on this is to call Florida “warm”

[MikeR]

Yay! The Boeing Calamity Capsule is finally in orbit.

[raines]

@beschizza

a seat that costs more than $55m (£44m) for a return trip

Is there a suggestion here that they could save taxpayer money by only springing for one-way tickets?

[fiatrn]

IF they don’t catch the connecting flight, the space-airlines will cancel their frequent flyer miles, as well as any further booked flights on this itinerary, stranding them forever.

[airshowfan]

I’m amazed I’m the first person here to make a joke about doors falling off…

(On a more serious note, I’m happy for Boeing. They have been needing a win).

William Harwood

[Mindysan33]

@airshowfan

They have been needing a win

Then maybe they should have not gutted their company’s reputation for engineering quality in order to chase quarterly profits?

Boeing was once known for safety and engineering. But critics say an emphasis...

Boeing: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

If they are having issues, it’s of their own making, not because of some problems out of their control. Their actions killed people, and that’s why people are pissed off.

[Melizmatic]

@airshowfan

Boeing {'s…} been needing a win

Pssst!

Hint:

If you are not already a billionaire right now, then you never will be.

[smulder]

@airshowfan

I’m happy for Boeing

… it will never love you back

[bluehenbear]

Boeing's Starliner Docks at ISS After Five Thrusters Unexpectedly Shut Off

Do’h!

[Otherbrother]

But more malfunctions just means more opportunities for the company to shine, the way that Boeing tells it:

“We accomplished a lot, and really more than expected,” said Mark Nappi, vice president and manager of Boeing’s Commercial Crew Program, during a post-docking news conference. “We just had an outstanding day.”

Outstanding!

Meanwhile, remember when a lot of people were skeptical about them choosing to launch without fixing that helium leak first?

NASA and Boeing engineers, prior to launch, said the initial leak was likely due to a defective gasket and that changing a seal would fix it. Boeing opted not to do this because it would have delayed the launch for several weeks, and they worked to convince NASA it was a manageable issue.

Now, with four separate leaks, Nappi acknowledged that Boeing may not fully understand the root cause of the problem. "They’re very similar in the way that they’re behaving, so there’s a good reason to believe that they may be similar,” he said Thursday. The company has already begun investigating the issue with similar hardware on the ground.

After a drama-filled day, Boeing’s Starliner finally finds its way

[sqlrob]

@Otherbrother

really more than expected,”

More than expected? How late is it already? Seems like expectations have already been blown.

[gatto]

and gaskets. gaskets have been blown