Christian Davenport
Christian Davenport is a reporter covering NASA and the space industry for The Washington Post. He joined The Post in 2000 and has had an array of assignments, including covering the D.C.-area sniper shootings, the Abu Ghraib scandal, the Fort Hood shootings, and the burial problems at Arlington National Cemetery. Christian Davenport covers NASA and the space industry for The Washington Post's Financial desk. He was a consulting producer of
86%
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
91%
Examples:
- The author seems to have a slight negative bias towards Boeing and its Starliner program, highlighting the delays, technical issues and setbacks while emphasizing SpaceX's successes.
Conflicts of Interest
95%
Examples:
- The author does not mention any conflicts of interest or financial ties to the companies or programs they are reporting on.
Contradictions
88%
Examples:
- The author frequently mentions contradictions and issues with Boeing's Starliner program, including failed thrusters, helium leaks and delays. There are also mentions of past failures in space missions.
Deceptions
71%
Examples:
- The author occasionally makes statements that may be misleading or deceptive, such as claiming that SpaceX's success is in direct contrast to Boeing's struggles and suggesting that NASA relies solely on contractors for space exploration.
Recent Articles
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. 
Six Diverse Passengers Set to Embark on Blue Origin's Space Tourism Mission on May 19, 2024
Broke On: Sunday, 19 May 2024Blue Origin, founded by Jeff Bezos, is set to fly its first space tourism mission since a 2021 engine failure on May 19, 2024. Six passengers will experience weightlessness and see Earth from space during the NS-25 launch at Launch Site One in West Texas. Notable passengers include retired US Air Force Captain Ed Dwight, French entrepreneur Sylvain Chiron, and Ken Hess of Science Buddies. 
Boeing's Starliner Mission Faces Another Delay: Helium Leak Discovered in Service Module
Broke On: Tuesday, 14 May 2024Boeing's Starliner spacecraft mission faces a week-long delay due to a helium leak discovered in the service module. The issue was traced to a single reaction control system thruster flange. NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, set to fly on the mission, have returned to Houston during this time. Boeing, NASA, and ULA teams are working to resolve the leak before the rescheduled launch on May 21.
