Christian Davenport
Christian Davenport is a reporter covering NASA and the space industry. He joined The Washington Post in 2000 and has held various assignments, including covering major news events such as the D.C.-area sniper shootings, the Abu Ghraib scandal, and the Fort Hood shootings. He has also worked as a consulting producer on a documentary about the space industry and a producer/co-host on a live broadcast of SpaceX's first crewed mission. Davenport attended Colby College, where he earned a B.A. in American Studies.
78%
The Daily's Verdict
This author has a mixed reputation for journalistic standards. It is advisable to fact-check, scrutinize for bias, and check for conflicts of interest before relying on the author's reporting.
Bias
95%
Examples:
- The author has a tendency to present Boeing in a negative light, highlighting their mistakes and setbacks with the Starliner spacecraft. This is evident in multiple articles where Boeing's issues are emphasized while SpaceX's successes are downplayed.
- There is also an emphasis on the contrast between Boeing's struggles and SpaceX's success, which could be seen as a subtle bias against Boeing.
Conflicts of Interest
100%
Examples:
- The author does not appear to have any financial or personal ties to the companies or individuals discussed in the articles.
- There are no instances of conflicts of interest mentioned in the articles.
Contradictions
85%
Examples:
- The articles often mention technical issues and problems that arise during launches or tests, such as helium leaks, malfunctioning thrusters, and software problems. These issues are then resolved or mitigated before the next test or launch.
- There are also instances where contradictions are mentioned but not elaborated upon, such as the mention of a small leak of helium gas before a launch.
- There is a focus on past successes and partnerships, such as NASA's commercial crew program with Boeing and SpaceX.
Deceptions
35%
Examples:
- However, these instances are few and far between and do not significantly impact the overall accuracy of the articles.
- There are a few instances where information is presented in a potentially misleading way, such as stating that Russia had threatened to leave a partnership with NASA over U.S. sanctions or that SpaceX's launch comes amid concerns about a potential nuclear weapon in space.
Recent Articles
Boeing's Starliner Spacecraft: Astronauts Williams and Wilmore's Extended Stay at ISS Due to Thruster Failures and Helium Leaks
Broke On: Friday, 26 July 2024Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, carrying NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Barry Wilmore, encountered thruster failures and helium leaks during its return to Earth from the ISS, delaying their homecoming indefinitely. Engineers are investigating the root cause of these issues while the astronauts continue their work on board. NASA is considering a backup plan using SpaceX's Dragon capsule for their return. 
SpaceX's Falcon 9 Rocket Suffers Engine Failure During Starlink Satellite Deployment, First Failure Since 2016
Broke On: Friday, 12 July 2024SpaceX suffered a setback on July 12, 2024, when an engine failure during the deployment of Starlink satellites marked its first failure since 2016. The incident involved a liquid oxygen leak in the second stage of the Falcon 9 rocket, preventing it from completing a necessary burn and causing the satellites to fall back to Earth. The FAA has launched an investigation into the incident, which is expected to delay upcoming human spaceflight launches while SpaceX investigates the root cause. 
NASA Astronauts Delayed Indefinitely: Boeing's Starliner Faces Helium Leaks and Malfunctioning Thrusters
Broke On: Tuesday, 25 June 2024NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore have been delayed in their return from the ISS due to Boeing's Starliner spacecraft experiencing helium leaks and malfunctioning thrusters. NASA and Boeing are working to resolve these issues, with NASA eager for a second American transportation system to the ISS for redundancy. The astronauts, who have been helping with station operations while completing objectives for Starliner's possible certification, are currently not in danger aboard the ISS. 
Boeing's Starliner Spacecraft Delayed: Helium Leaks and Thruster Failure Extend NASA Astronauts' Stay at ISS
Broke On: Tuesday, 18 June 2024Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, scheduled for June 18 return with NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Barry 'Butch' Wilmore, is delayed until June 26 due to helium leaks and thruster failure during test flight. The capsule, docked at ISS since May 19, will extend its mission for troubleshooting before landing in New Mexico. 
Boeing Starliner's Extended Stay at ISS: Assessing Helium Leaks and Thruster Issues
Broke On: Tuesday, 18 June 2024Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, commanded by Barry 'Butch' Wilmore and Sunita Williams, remains at the International Space Station (ISS) for an extended mission to investigate helium leaks and thruster issues. NASA intends to eliminate both problems before Starliner flies again, expected until June 26. 
Boeing's Starliner Spacecraft Docks with ISS After Helium Leaks and Thruster Issues
Broke On: Wednesday, 05 June 2024Boeing's Starliner spacecraft docked with the International Space Station on June 8th, overcoming helium leaks and thruster issues during its journey. Despite these setbacks, successful docking was achieved. Boeing's Starliner Spacecraft Experiences Computer Issue, Delaying First Crewed Launch to ISS
Broke On: Tuesday, 04 June 2024Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, scheduled for its first crewed mission to the International Space Station (ISS), faced another delay due to a computer sync issue at T-minus 3 minutes and 50 seconds. NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams were set back as Boeing works to resolve the problem, with potential launch dates ranging from Wednesday to mid-June. Meanwhile, SpaceX continues making strides in the space industry with over 6,000 Starlink satellites and a $2.9 billion NASA contract for lunar landings. 
Boeing's Starliner Launch Delayed: Computer System Issue Pushes NASA Test Flight into Next Week
Broke On: Saturday, 01 June 2024Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program and set to send astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore to the International Space Station, experienced a launch delay on June 1, 2024. The issue was due to one computer system taking longer than expected to come online for clamp release and launch sequence. NASA announced a possible next week launch, with potential dates being Wednesday or Thursday for further assessment. Previous setbacks included a malfunctioning valve in May and past software bugs causing trajectory issues and cabin electrical tape. NASA and Boeing Press On with Starliner Launch Despite Helium Leak and Design Vulnerability
Broke On: Friday, 24 May 2024NASA and Boeing press ahead with Starliner launch on June 1, despite a helium leak in its propulsion system. The suspect seal in the plumbing leading to one thruster could fail or leak up to 100 times, but NASA and Boeing believe the spacecraft can still fly safely for its first crewed test flight. 
Boeing's Starliner Spacecraft Faces Another Delay: Helium Leak in Service Module
Broke On: Saturday, 18 May 2024Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft, set to rival SpaceX's Crew Dragon and expand US astronaut transportation to the ISS, faces another delay in its first crewed flight due to a helium leak in the service module. The launch, initially scheduled for May 6 and later pushed back due to rocket issues, is now slated for May 25. NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore await this historic journey amidst Boeing's recent quality control concerns.
