Boeing's Starliner Spacecraft Experiences Computer Issue, Delaying First Crewed Launch to ISS

Cape Canaveral, Florida, Florida United States of America
Boeing faces criticism for handling of Starliner project and meeting deadlines
Boeing's first crewed launch was initially scheduled for May 6 but has been plagued by delays due to various issues
Boeing's Starliner spacecraft experienced a computer issue, delaying its first crewed launch to the International Space Station (ISS)
Next launch attempt could be as early as Wednesday if issue is resolved, or mid-June if not
Problem identified as one of three redundant computers taking longer than expected to sync up with other two, triggering automatic hold at T-minus 3 minutes and 50 seconds
SpaceX continues to make strides in space industry with Starlink satellites and NASA contract for Starship rocket
Boeing's Starliner Spacecraft Experiences Computer Issue, Delaying First Crewed Launch to ISS

Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, which is set to carry the first crew on a mission to the International Space Station (ISS), experienced yet another delay in its launch due to a computer issue. The problem was identified as one of three redundant computers managing the countdown from the base of the launch pad that took longer than expected to sync up with the other two, triggering an automatic hold at T-minus 3 minutes and 50 seconds.

The Starliner's test flight includes rendezvous and docking with the ISS. Based on its orbit and ability to catch up, the next launch attempt could be as early as Wednesday if engineers can resolve the issue. However, if it doesn't blast off this coming week, then it will have to move off the pad and replace batteries before attempting another launch in mid-June.

Meanwhile, SpaceX has continued to make strides in the space industry. The company now operates about 6,000 Starlink satellites with 3 million customers for its internet service and was awarded a $2.9 billion contract by NASA to use the Starship rocket for landing astronauts on the moon.

Boeing's first crewed launch was initially scheduled for May 6, but it has been plagued by delays due to leak checks, rocket repairs, parachute problems, and flammable fuel. The latest setback comes as a disappointment to NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams who were ready to embark on their journey aboard the Starliner.

Despite these challenges, Boeing remains committed to making progress in the space industry. Mark Nappi, a representative from Boeing, emphasized that 'everything's got to work perfectly.' The company has faced criticism for its handling of the Starliner project and delays in meeting deadlines.

The commercial crew program was initiated by NASA a decade ago with the goal of outsourcing human spaceflight to two companies: Boeing and SpaceX. While SpaceX has successfully disrupted the market and restored human spaceflight in the US, Boeing's Starliner project has faced numerous setbacks.


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Confidence

91%

Doubts
  • Are there any other potential issues that could delay the launch besides the computer problem?
  • Is the computer issue a recurring problem with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft?

Sources

83%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

While Boeing has struggled with Starliner, SpaceX has soared

The Fixing Site: A Summary of the Article. Christian Davenport Tuesday, 04 June 2024 11:05
  • Unique Points
    • SpaceX has emerged as the world’s leading space company, disrupting the market and restoring human spaceflight in the US after the retirement of the space shuttle.
    • SpaceX now operates about 6,000 Starlink satellites with 3 million customers for its internet service.
    • In 2021, NASA awarded SpaceX a $2.9 billion contract to use the Starship rocket for landing astronauts on the moon.
  • Accuracy
    • Boeing has faced mechanical and software problems with its Starliner spacecraft, costing $1.4 billion in overruns and damaging its reputation as the nation’s premier aerospace company.
    • Boeing's first crewed test flight was delayed multiple times due to valve malfunctions, helium leaks, and computer issues.
    • SpaceX initially won a contract in 2006 for cargo transportation to the space station, which saved the company from bankruptcy. It later secured a $1.6 billion contract in 2008 for flying supply missions to the station.
  • Deception (30%)
    The article contains selective reporting and emotional manipulation. The author highlights Boeing's struggles and SpaceX's success in contrast, implying that Boeing is at fault for its delays while SpaceX is a scrappy start-up that innovates quickly. This creates an emotional response in the reader, making it more likely they will remember and believe the negative information about Boeing. The author also only reports details that support this narrative, such as Boeing's mechanical and software problems and cost overruns, while omitting any positive information or context about the company's efforts to resolve these issues. This selective reporting further reinforces the negative perception of Boeing.
    • Instead of contracting with other companies for many of the parts that go into its vehicles, SpaceX builds much of its rockets and spacecraft in house.
    • The upcoming crewed flight is a critical milestone, one that Pam Melroy, the deputy NASA Administrator, has said is an ‘existential’ moment for the company.
    • The story of NASA’s commercial crew program is a tale of contrast – of an improbable rise to prominence for one and an equally improbable fall from grace for the other.
    • SpaceX has emerged as the world’s leading space company, leveraging its lucrative contracts and relationship with NASA to design a rocket and spacecraft that helped it disrupt the space market, restore human spaceflight to the United States after the retirement of the space shuttle and build a multibillion-dollar business that now launches a rocket once every few days.
    • Boeing, on the other hand, is now finally poised to launch its first human spaceflight mission at 10:52 a.m. Wednesday from Cape Canaveral, Fla.
    • Despite growing to more than 10,000 employees at multiple sites, SpaceX still performs like a scrappy start-up, able to move nimbly.
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (95%)
    The author's language and tone in the article clearly demonstrate a bias towards SpaceX and against Boeing. The author repeatedly highlights SpaceX's successes and Boeing's failures, using phrases like 'improbable rise to prominence for one and an equally improbable fall from grace for the other', 'disrupt the space market', 'restore human spaceflight to the United States', and 'emerged as the world’s leading space company'. The author also uses language that depicts Boeing as traditional, massive, and slow in comparison to SpaceX's nimble and innovative nature. Additionally, there is a disproportionate number of quotes reflecting SpaceX's successes compared to Boeing's struggles.
    • Boeing has faced mechanical and software problems with its Starliner spacecraft that have cost $1.4 billion and counting in overruns and done immeasurable harm to its reputation as the nation’s premier aerospace company.
      • Boeing is now finally poised to launch its first human spaceflight mission
        • Despite growing to more than 10,000 employees at multiple sites, SpaceX still performs like a scrappy start-up
          • Instead of contracting with other companies for many of the parts that go into its vehicles, SpaceX builds much of its rockets and spacecraft in house
            • NASA and Boeing said in April they had solved all those problems and were ready.
              • SpaceX has emerged as the world’s leading space company
                • The upcoming crewed flight is a critical milestone, one that Pam Melroy, the deputy NASA Administrator, has said is an ‘existential’ moment for the company.
                  • To get to this point, however, has been a long and painful road. In December 2019, Boeing thought Starliner was ready for its first test flight without anyone on board. It did not go well.
                  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                    None Found At Time Of Publication
                  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                    None Found At Time Of Publication

                  98%

                  The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
                  (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

                  A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

                  Boeing Starliner teams identify issue that stopped launch minutes before liftoff

                  CNN News Site: In-Depth Reporting and Analysis with Some Financial Conflicts and Sensational Language Ashley Strickland Monday, 03 June 2024 20:19
                  • Unique Points
                    • Boeing Starliner's inaugural crewed launch is scheduled for Wednesday after a computer issue halted the countdown on Saturday.
                    • Teams identified a single ground power supply within one of the computers as the source of the issue.
                  • Accuracy
                    • , Boeing has faced mechanical and software problems with its Starliner spacecraft, costing $1.4 billion in overruns and damaging its reputation as the nation’s premier aerospace company.
                    • One of three redundant computers near the pad was sluggish, requiring all three to work properly for launch.
                    • During Saturday’s launch attempt, one of the three GLS circuit boards took longer than expected to synch up with the other two, triggering an automatic hold at T-minus 3-minute 50-seconds.
                  • Deception (100%)
                    None Found At Time Of Publication
                  • Fallacies (100%)
                    None Found At Time Of Publication
                  • Bias (100%)
                    None Found At Time Of Publication
                  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                    None Found At Time Of Publication
                  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                    None Found At Time Of Publication

                  95%

                  The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
                  (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

                  A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

                  Boeing's first astronaut flight called off at the last minute in latest setback

                  The Associated Press News Site Saturday, 01 June 2024 11:05
                  • Unique Points
                    • Boeing's first astronaut flight was called off at the last minute due to computer trouble
                    • Two NASA astronauts were in Boeing’s Starliner capsule when the launch was halted
                    • One of three redundant computers near the pad was sluggish, requiring all three to work properly for launch
                  • Accuracy
                    • ]Boeing's first astronaut flight was called off at the last minute due to computer trouble[
                  • Deception (100%)
                    None Found At Time Of Publication
                  • Fallacies (100%)
                    None Found At Time Of Publication
                  • Bias (100%)
                    None Found At Time Of Publication
                  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                    None Found At Time Of Publication
                  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
                    None Found At Time Of Publication

                  100%

                  The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
                  (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

                  A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

                  Boeing’s Starliner has two more chances this week to make its first crewed flight

                  Engadget Cheyenne MacDonald Tuesday, 04 June 2024 21:38
                  • Unique Points
                    • One of the three large computers in the system came up slow during a health check, triggering an automatic hold.
                    • If Starliner doesn’t fly by June 6, it will be set back by at least another 10 days due to the need to swap out the Atlas V rocket’s batteries.
                  • Accuracy
                    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
                  • Deception (100%)
                    None Found At Time Of Publication
                  • Fallacies (100%)
                    None Found At Time Of Publication
                  • Bias (100%)
                    None Found At Time Of Publication
                  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                    None Found At Time Of Publication
                  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                    None Found At Time Of Publication

                  98%

                  The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
                  (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

                  A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

                  NASA foregoes Sunday launch, delaying Starliner takeoff to at least Wednesday – Spaceflight Now

                  Spaceflight Now Saturday, 01 June 2024 00:00
                  • Unique Points
                    • Boeing Starliner's launch was grounded again on Saturday due to a problem with one of three redundant computers managing the countdown from the base of the launch pad.
                    • The issue involved one of three networked computer racks in a building at the base of the launch pad.
                    • During Saturday's launch attempt, one of the three GLS circuit boards took longer than expected to synch up with the other two, triggering an automatic hold at T-minus 3-minute 50-seconds.
                    • Veteran NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams will be the first crew to ride aboard Starliner, propelled to orbit atop an Atlas V rocket.
                  • Accuracy
                    • The next two launch opportunities after Sunday are Wednesday, at 10:52 a.m. EDT, and Thursday, at 10:29 a.m.
                    • During Saturday’s launch attempt, one of the three GLS circuit boards took longer than expected to synch up with the other two, triggering an automatic hold at T-minus 3-minute 50-seconds.
                  • Deception (100%)
                    None Found At Time Of Publication
                  • Fallacies (100%)
                    None Found At Time Of Publication
                  • Bias (100%)
                    None Found At Time Of Publication
                  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                    None Found At Time Of Publication
                  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
                    None Found At Time Of Publication