Boeing's ongoing quality control problems now appear to extend into space, as its Starliner test flight has left crew members delayed in their return to earth. The Dow Jones aerospace giant is scrambling to solve helium leaks and propulsion issues preventing a return flight home for two NASA astronauts. The news has so far had little impact on Boeing stock.
Original plans called for the Starliner crew to stay aboard the ISS for about a week after docking on June 6. Boeing and NASA have twice postponed the return to earth, as astronauts performed spacewalks in order to assess issues on the spacecraft.
NASA astronauts Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Suni Williams launched for the ISS on June 5. However, a helium leak during launch worsened when four more sprung up on its path to the ISS, the AP reported. In addition, five of the capsule's 28 thrusters went down during docking on June 6.
NASA and Boeing on June 18 delayed the Starliner return until at least June 26. On June 21, the two organizations postponed the timeline for the return again to allow for a series of planned spacewalks and provide additional time to review propulsion data.
All but one of the thrusters have restarted and worked during test firing as of June 26, the AP reported. The one faulty thruster is not an issue for the return trip, according to Boeing.
NASA canceled a planned spacewalk on Monday due to a water leak in a (non-Boeing) spacesuit, according to the New York Times. Another spacewalk is due on Tuesday, July 2. The organizations have not provided an update on how the missed spacewalk will affect the schedule. At this time, there is no official return date.
Astronauts Not Stranded, Boeing Says
Boeing denied reports that the astronauts are 'stranded,' as described by some news agencies, at the space station.
"(The) Starliner is performing well in orbit while docked to the space station," said Steve Stich, manager of NASA's Commercial Crew program in the June 21 announcement. "We are strategically using the extra time to clear a path for some critical station activities while completing readiness for Butch and Suni's return on Starliner and gaining valuable insight into system upgrades we will want to make for post-certification missions."
Boeing cleared the Starliner to return to earth in case of an emergency on the space station.
The crew is not pressed for time to disembark from the station since there are plenty of supplies in orbit and the ISS' schedule is relatively open through mid-August, according to Boeing.
Boeing Stock
Boeing stock action shows investors thus far unfazed by the spaceflight mishaps. Shares have ticked up less than 1% in June, but remain down 31% year to date, amid the company's 737 Max issues and delivery delays this year.
BA stock on Wednesday swung 1.9% higher to close above their 50-day moving average.
You can follow Harrison Miller for more stock news and updates on X/Twitter @IBD_Harrison
