Boeing Starliner’s Woes Threaten NASA’s Space Plans
Boeing’s Starliner was meant to fly NASA astronauts to space. But it’s stuck on Earth. Technical issues keep piling up. And NASA is worried. So, what’s going wrong? Let’s dive in.
First, Starliner had a rough start. In 2019, its first test flight failed. The onboard clock was wrong. Thrusters fired too early. It never reached the International Space Station (ISS). Then, in 2022, a second test worked better. But some thrusters still failed. NASA thought these issues were fixed. However, new problems appeared.
In 2023, Boeing found flammable tape in the wiring. The parachutes were also weak. These delayed the first crewed flight. By May 2024, a faulty valve stopped a launch. And a helium leak in the propulsion system caused more trouble. On June 5, 2024, astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams finally launched. But five thrusters misfired during docking. NASA delayed their return. After months of tests, they decided it was too risky. Starliner came back uncrewed on September 7, 2024. The astronauts returned via SpaceX’s Crew Dragon in March 2025.
Why is this a big deal? NASA’s Commercial Crew Program needs two providers. SpaceX’s Crew Dragon has flown since 2020. It’s reliable. Boeing got $4.2 billion to build Starliner. SpaceX got $2.6 billion. Yet, Boeing’s costs ballooned by $1.85 billion. Meanwhile, SpaceX has flown 10 crewed missions. Boeing’s delays hurt NASA’s plan to split ISS trips.
What’s next? NASA is testing Starliner’s thrusters at White Sands, New Mexico. They want to know why they failed. But the next flight is delayed to 2026. Some say another test flight is needed. Others think Boeing can fix it for a crewed mission. Either way, trust is low.
Here’s a timeline of Starliner’s troubles:
Timeline Graph Highlight
Year Event
2019 Failed uncrewed test flight (clock issue)
2022 Second test docks with ISS, thruster issues
2023 Flammable tape, weak parachutes found
2024 Crewed flight launches, thruster failures
2025 Uncrewed return, next flight delayed to 2026
(This graph is mobile and computer-friendly. Picture a line with dots for each year.)
For more space news, visit AMERICA NEWS WORLD (ANW) at https://america112.com/.
Boeing’s struggles aren’t new. Their 737 Max had issues too. But NASA needs them. “We’re committed,” said NASA’s Steve Stich. Yet, doubts remain. Will Starliner ever fly regularly? Or will SpaceX dominate?
Read more at reuters
This affects everyone. From Asia to Africa, North America to Australia, even Europe and South America, space fans watch closely. Kids dream of stars. Adults want safe flights. Visit https://america112.com/ for updates.
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This mismatch is pushing prices higher. > **Image**: An Amazon Web Services data center in Boardman, Oregon, August 2024. (Source: Jenny Kane/AP) > *Caption*: Data centers like this one are driving up electricity demand across the US. ### Other Factors Behind the Price Surge While AI is a major player, it’s not the only reason for rising bills. Natural gas prices have spiked, making it more expensive to generate electricity. Also, the US power grid is old and needs upgrades. The Department of Energy says 70% of transmission lines are nearing the end of their lifespan. Replacing them costs billions, and consumers foot the bill. Extreme weather is another issue. Heat waves and storms are more frequent, forcing utilities to repair or harden the grid. In California, utilities spent $27 billion from 2019 to 2023 on wildfire prevention and insurance. These costs trickle down to customers. 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For more on clean energy solutions, visit **[AMERICA NEWS WORLD (ANW)](https://america112.com/)**. > **Data Highlight: Projected Data Center Power Demand** > Source: Electric Power Research Institute > - **2022**: 4% of US electricity consumption > - **2030 (Projected)**: 5% to 9% of US electricity consumption > - **Growth**: Data center energy use could double by 2030. ```chartjs { "type": "bar", "data": { "labels": ["2022", "2030 (Projected)"], "datasets": [{ "label": "Data Center Electricity Consumption (% of US Total)", "data": [4, 7], "backgroundColor": ["#28a745", "#dc3545"], "borderColor": ["#28a745", "#dc3545"], "borderWidth": 1 }] }, "options": { "responsive": true, "maintainAspectRatio": false, "scales": { "y": { "beginAtZero": true, "title": { "display": true, "text": "% of US Electricity" } }, "x": { "title": { "display": true, "text": "Year" } } } } } ``` ### What’s Next for Consumers? Electricity prices may keep rising if demand outpaces supply. The White House warns that AI data centers could push prices up 9-58% by 2030 without new investments. The US needs $1.4 trillion by 2030 to meet growing power needs, according to the White House Council of Economic Advisors. This includes building new power plants and transmission lines. However, not all hope is lost. Renewable energy is getting cheaper. Solar and wind projects are expanding, and nuclear power is making a comeback. For example, Microsoft is reviving Pennsylvania’s Three Mile Island nuclear plant to power its AI tools. These efforts could stabilize prices over time. Consumers can also take action. Using energy-efficient appliances, sealing home leaks, and switching to LED lights can lower bills. ### Global Impact and Local Action The AI-driven power surge isn’t just a US problem—it’s global. Data centers worldwide could consume 3-4% of global power by 2030, up from 1-2% today, according to Goldman Sachs. 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For a deeper dive into how AI is reshaping the energy landscape, check out this [CBS News article](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ai-data-centers-electricity-demand-power-grid-us/) on the growing strain on US power grids.](https://america112.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/1198006_3_0818-NPRICES-lines-lede.jpg_standard-1.jpg)
Alia DuBuque
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