"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2022-05-16T23:18:52Z"
data-video-section="business"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/business/2022/05/16/ryanair-ceo-boeing-expletives-mc-orig.cnn-business"
data-branding-key=""
data-video-slug="ryanair ceo boeing expletives mc orig"
data-first-publish-slug="ryanair ceo boeing expletives mc orig"
data-video-tags=""
data-details="">
Video Ad Feedback
Ryanair CEO blasts Boeing in expletive-laden remarks about slow delivery of 737 jets
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2022-05-16T23:18:52Z"
data-video-section="business"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/business/2022/05/16/ryanair-ceo-boeing-expletives-mc-orig.cnn-business"
data-branding-key=""
data-video-slug="ryanair ceo boeing expletives mc orig"
data-first-publish-slug="ryanair ceo boeing expletives mc orig"
data-video-tags=""
data-details="">
Video Ad Feedback
Ryanair CEO blasts Boeing in expletive-laden remarks about slow delivery of 737 jets
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2024-01-08T14:29:13Z"
data-video-section="business"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/business/2024/01/08/vulcan-centaur-rocket-peregrine-spacecraft-moon-launch-fisher-bts-ctm-vpx.cnn"
data-branding-key=""
data-video-slug="vulcan centaur rocket peregrine spacecraft moon launch fisher bts ctm vpx"
data-first-publish-slug="vulcan centaur rocket peregrine spacecraft moon launch fisher bts ctm vpx"
data-video-tags="aviation and aerospace industry,brand safety-nsf death,brand safety-nsf sensitive,brand safety-nsf war and military,business and industry sectors,business, economy and trade,cape canaveral air force station,celestial bodies and objects,continents and regions,death and dying,deaths and fatalities,domestic alerts,domestic-health and science,domestic-us news,earth's moon,florida,government organizations - us,iab-aviation industry,iab-bereavement,iab-business and finance,iab-family and relationships,iab-industries,iab-science,iab-space and astronomy,international alerts,international-health and science,international-us news,military,military bases,nasa,north america,planets and moons,points of interest,society,southeastern united states,space and astronomy,space exploration,space industry,spacecraft and satellites,the americas,united states,us air force,us air force bases,us department of defense,us federal departments and agencies,us government independent agencies"
data-details="">
Video Ad Feedback
Human remains aboard moon-bound spacecraft are causing controversy. Here's why
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2023-12-22T19:34:17Z"
data-video-section="us"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2023/12/22/christmas-tree-cluster-stars-nasa-orig-ag.cnn"
data-branding-key="year-in-review"
data-video-slug="christmas tree cluster stars nasa orig ag"
data-first-publish-slug="christmas tree cluster stars nasa orig ag"
data-video-tags="christmas,domestic alerts,domestic-health and science,government organizations - us,holidays and observances,iab-science,iab-space and astronomy,international alerts,international-health and science,nasa,space and astronomy,us federal departments and agencies,us government independent agencies"
data-details="">
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2023-12-19T11:06:18Z"
data-video-section="business"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/tech/2023/12/19/nasa-cat-video-laser-technology-ovn-cprog-ldn-vpx.cnn"
data-branding-key=""
data-video-slug="nasa cat video laser technology ovn cprog ldn vpx"
data-first-publish-slug="nasa cat video laser technology ovn cprog ldn vpx"
data-video-tags="animals,aviation and aerospace industry,broadcasting industry,business and industry sectors,business, economy and trade,cats,celestial bodies and objects,digital and streaming video,domestic alerts,domestic-business,domestic-health and science,earth,earth's moon,government organizations - us,iab-aviation industry,iab-business and finance,iab-cats,iab-computing,iab-entertainment industry,iab-industries,iab-internet,iab-media industry,iab-pets,iab-science,iab-social networking,iab-space and astronomy,iab-technology & computing,international alerts,international-business,international-health and science,internet and www,internet broadcasting,internet video,life forms,mammals,media industry,movie and video industry,nasa,planets and moons,social media,society,space and astronomy,space exploration,space industry,spacecraft and satellites,streaming media,technology,us federal departments and agencies,us government independent agencies,viral videos"
data-details="">
Video Ad Feedback
NASA just beamed a cat video to Earth from 19 million miles away in space
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2023-11-22T01:50:07Z"
data-video-section="business"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/business/2023/11/22/spacex-us-government-nasa-fisher-dnt-ebof-vpx.cnn"
data-branding-key=""
data-video-slug="spacex us government nasa fisher dnt ebof vpx"
data-first-publish-slug="spacex us government nasa fisher dnt ebof vpx"
data-video-tags="anti-semitism,brand safety-nsf discrimination,brand safety-nsf sensitive,business figures,companies,discrimination,domestic alerts,domestic-us politics,elon musk,government and public administration,government bodies and offices,iab-politics,international alerts,international-us politics,politics,racism and racial discrimination,societal issues,society,spacex,us federal government"
data-details="">
Video Ad Feedback
Why the US government is still working with Elon Musk amid antisemitic comments
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2023-10-15T00:55:32Z"
data-video-section="travel"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/travel/2023/10/15/video-ring-of-fire-solar-eclipse-contd-orig-mc-sc.cnn"
data-branding-key="the-great-american-eclipse"
data-video-slug="Video ring of fire solar eclipse contd orig mc sc"
data-first-publish-slug="Video ring of fire solar eclipse contd orig mc sc"
data-video-tags="albuquerque,celestial bodies and objects,continents and regions,domestic alerts,domestic-health and science,festivals,iab-science,iab-space and astronomy,international alerts,international-health and science,new mexico,north america,solar and lunar eclipses,southwestern united states,space and astronomy,sun,the americas,united states"
data-details="">
Video Ad Feedback
Watch an eclipse pass over the world's largest balloon festival
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2023-10-13T17:02:50Z"
data-video-section="business"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/business/2023/10/13/psyche-metal-asteroid-nasa-launch-orig-contd-jc.cnn"
data-branding-key="space-next-chapter"
data-video-slug="psyche metal asteroid nasa launch orig contd jc"
data-first-publish-slug="psyche metal asteroid nasa launch orig contd jc"
data-video-tags="asteroids and comets,aviation and aerospace industry,business and industry sectors,business, economy and trade,domestic alerts,domestic-health and science,government organizations - us,iab-aviation industry,iab-business and finance,iab-industries,iab-science,iab-space and astronomy,international alerts,international-health and science,nasa,space and astronomy,space exploration,space industry,spacecraft and satellites,us federal departments and agencies,us government independent agencies"
data-details="">
Video Ad Feedback
Watch: NASA launches spacecraft to visit the metal asteroid Psyche
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2023-09-27T13:00:46Z"
data-video-section="business"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/business/2023/09/27/frank-rubio-nasa-astronaut-sets-record-space-year-cnntm-contd-vpx.cnn"
data-branding-key="space-next-chapter"
data-video-slug="frank rubio nasa astronaut sets record space year cnntm contd vpx"
data-first-publish-slug="frank rubio nasa astronaut sets record space year cnntm contd vpx"
data-video-tags="aviation and aerospace industry,business and industry sectors,business, economy and trade,celestial bodies and objects,domestic alerts,domestic-health and science,earth,government organizations - us,iab-aviation industry,iab-business and finance,iab-industries,iab-science,iab-space and astronomy,international alerts,international-health and science,nasa,planets and moons,space and astronomy,space exploration,space industry,spacecraft and satellites,us federal departments and agencies,us government independent agencies"
data-details="">
Video Ad Feedback
Why record-setting astronaut was told to 'keep your mouth shut' upon returning to Earth
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2023-09-25T15:33:46Z"
data-video-section="business"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/business/2023/09/25/nasa-asteroid-sample-osiris-rex-cprog-cnntm-vpx.cnn"
data-branding-key="space-next-chapter"
data-video-slug="nasa asteroid sample osiris rex cprog cnntm vpx"
data-first-publish-slug="nasa asteroid sample osiris rex cprog cnntm vpx"
data-video-tags="asteroids and comets,astrophysics,aviation and aerospace industry,business and industry sectors,business, economy and trade,celestial bodies and objects,domestic alerts,domestic-health and science,earth,government organizations - us,iab-aviation industry,iab-business and finance,iab-industries,iab-science,iab-space and astronomy,international alerts,international-health and science,nasa,planets and moons,space and astronomy,space exploration,space industry,space launches,spacecraft and satellites,us federal departments and agencies,us government independent agencies"
data-details="">
Video Ad Feedback
Astrophysicist explains why NASA milestone is 'incredible'
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2023-09-03T20:57:34Z"
data-video-section="business"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/tech/2023/09/03/space-x-dragon-undocks-iss-nr-vpx.cnn"
data-branding-key=""
data-video-slug="space x dragon undocks ISS nr vpx"
data-first-publish-slug="space x dragon undocks ISS nr vpx"
data-video-tags="aviation and aerospace industry,business and industry sectors,business, economy and trade,companies,domestic alerts,domestic-health and science,iab-aviation industry,iab-business and finance,iab-industries,iab-science,iab-space and astronomy,international alerts,international-health and science,space and astronomy,space exploration,space industry,space stations,spacecraft and satellites,spacex"
data-details="">
Boeing is the world’s largest aerospace company, a primary US defense contractor, and a titan of a global aviation duopoly. A few years ago, the idea that it would dominate commercial space was a given, and companies like SpaceX, a relatively young business relying on a strategy of moving fast and breaking things, would take a back seat to the move level-headed and experienced Boeing.
That, however, did not come to fruition.
Errors, delays and failures beleaguered the spacecraft’s development. There was a botched test flight, software issues, sticky valves and a lawsuit involving an executive at a subcontractor who is said to have lost his leg during a Starliner test.
After initially giving SpaceX closer scrutiny than Boeing, officials later said they regretted that as many of Starliner’s issues slipped through the cracks.SpaceX, Elon Musk’s relatively new entrant into the spaceflight business, ultimately beat Boeing to the launch pad. The company’s Crew Dragon spacecraft has now logged five astronaut launches for NASA since it entered service in 2020.
Meanwhile, Boeing is still trying to get through an uncrewed test flight. The company will make its second attempt this week, hoping a flawless performance will mend its image as the fallen star of human spaceflight.
NASA astronauts Suni Williams, left, Barry "Butch" Wilmore, center, and Mike Fincke, right, watch as a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft aboard is rolled out of the Vertical Integration Facility to the launch pad at Space Launch Complex 41 ahead of the Orbital Flight Test-2 (OFT-2) mission, Wednesday, May 18, 2022 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
Joel Kowsky/NASA
The controversies surrounding Starliner have also added to other woes within Boeing’s commercial aircraft division that have chipped away at the company’s formerly rock-solid image over the past several years.
Here’s a look back at Starliner’s trying past.
OFT-1
In 2014, NASA awarded fixed-price contracts — meaning the space agency would only pay the initial agreed-upon price and not a penny more — to Boeing and SpaceX. The move cemented their slots as the companies that would take NASA astronauts back to space under the Commercial Crew program. Boeing’s awards totaled $4.2 billion, a significant markup compared to the $2.6 billion SpaceX was given, though the company has said that’s because SpaceX had already received millions for development of an uncrewed version of its Dragon vehicle.
Though both spacecrafts were expected to blast astronauts into space just a few years later, as the end of the decade neared, it became clear that SpaceX was outpacing Boeing.
When the company’s first uncrewed orbital flight test, dubbed OFT-1, reached the launch pad in December 2019, SpaceX had already beaten it by six months.
And almost immediately after Starliner launched on December 20, 2019, it was clear something was wrong.
Later, it was revealed that Starliner’s internal clock was off by 11 hours, which caused the spacecraft to misfire and stumble off course, NASA and Boeing officials told reporters. Starliner was forced to make an early return to Earth.
Months later, a second serious software issue was revealed, with one government safety official saying it could have caused a “catastrophic failure.” Boeing
(BA) was able to identify and correct the error before it impacted Starliner’s behavior, however.
Boeing agreed to fix the issues and pay for a second attempt at the uncrewed test flight, setting aside nearly half a billion dollars. Months of troubleshooting, safety reviews and investigations followed the test flight.
Former astronaut pulls out of mission
Former NASA astronaut Chris Ferguson, who left the government astronaut corps in 2011 to help Boeing design and build the Starliner, was slated to command the first crewed mission of Starliner as a private astronaut. But after the failure of its inaugural flight test, Ferguson announced he could no longer fly on the vehicle, citing scheduling conflicts.
NASA and Boeing made the announcement in late 2020, saying Ferguson made the decision for “personal reasons.” Ferguson said in a follow-up tweet that he planned to prioritize his family, and he “made several commitments which I simply cannot risk missing.”
Though the crewed mission has been rescheduled several times, there do not appear to be plans to return Ferguson to the mission.
A NASA astronaut, Barry “Butch” Wilmore, was assigned to take Ferguson’s place.
Sticky valves and Florida humidity
Boeing believed it was ready to put Starliner back to the test last year, and it scheduled a second attempt at the orbital flight test — this one dubbed OFT-2 — for August.
A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft aboard is seen after being rolled out of the Vertical Integration Facility to the launch pad at Space Launch Complex 41 ahead of the Orbital Flight Test-2 (OFT-2) mission, Wednesday, May 18, 2022 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
Joel Kowsky/NASA
More problems quickly arose. When the spacecraft was rolled out to its launch pad and began going through pre-flight ground checks, engineers discovered that key valves on the Starliner were sticking. Eventually Boeing announced that the problem could not be fixed on the launch pad, and the whole vehicle had to be rolled back to the assembly building for further troubleshooting.
In press conferences leading up to Thursday’s test fight, Boeing officials revealed that they will fly OFT-2 this week with a “short-term” fix in place, but the company may ultimately opt to redesign the valve system.
Other issues
Adding to the questions surrounding Boeing’s safety practices as Starliner heads back to the launch pad this week is a recent report from Reuters, which highlighted a previously overlooked lawsuit filed against Boeing last year by a subcontractor who was said to have his leg partially amputated after an accident that occurred ahead of a 2017 Starliner parachute test.
Boeing confirmed in a statement that a lawsuit was filed on behalf of the employee and the subcontractor. “The matter was settled by all of the parties; the terms of the settlement are confidential,” the statement reads.
Court documents confirm the matter was settled in December 2021.