The neverending story of the Boeing Starliner Test Flight continues, and NASA held a press briefing today to update the press and the public about progress toward resolving the troubled test flight. The news, in two words, is “no news.”

NASA is still studying Starliner data, still working to understand exactly what the current and future situation is with Starliner and whether it is safe to return the two astronauts aboard the spacecraft. Meanwhile, parallel work on other options continues: software changes are in process, and NASA and SpaceX are still determining the best way to return the Boeing CFT astronauts on Crew Dragon.

While there was decision announced today, the tone and tenor of NASA officials suggested that on may well be coming soon, as the port Starliner is currently docked at will soon be needed for other missions.

In parallel to data analysis and risk assessments of Starliner, NASA is working on testing and then updating Starliner’s software to fly autonomously, if needed, is continuing to develop plans to return the crew on Crew Dragon, and preparing for CFT astronauts to become Expedition Crew in the meantime. The astronauts are healthy and fine, are integrated into ISS activities and workloads, and say they are relying on ground controllers to make the right call.

While NASA continues their analysis and deliberations behind the scenes even though it looks like nothing much is going on from an outside perspective. That’s far from the case as mission managers, scientists and engineers from across the spectrum of NASA’s technology portfolio and from Boeing and associated contractors are working on this issue. In short, don’t be fooled by the quiet on the surface and any lack of announcements, NASA is conducting a thorough analysis as quickly as possible.

“We don’t have any major announcements today.”

The press conference opened with Ken Bowersox, a former astronaut and the associate administrator for NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate stating plainly that, “We don’t have any major announcements today.” In other words, no decision on how and when Starliner Crewed Flight Test astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams will return to Earth.

Ken Bowersox Comments

Bowersox also said, “Our technical experts are all busy, diving deeply into all the data that’s been generated over the past few weeks, going through the feedback of new, propulsion system experts that have been brought in, looking at planning for our return options and, preparing for, some decision points that are ahead, at the program control board, and eventually a flight Readiness Review.”

That date of that Readiness Review has been shifted right, with Bowersox saying, “A flight readiness review around the end of next week, potentially beginning of the following week.” He added that NASA has the luxury of time on its side in order to come to a consensus, conclusion and a final decision, but that time is starting to run out.

When asked about the extended presence of Starliner on one of the very few docking ports at ISS, Bowersox said, “We can juggle things and make things work if we need to extend, but it’s getting a lot harder. With the consumables we’re using, with, the need for the use of the ports for cargo missions, we’re reaching a point where that last week in August, we really should be making a call, if not sooner.”

Joe Acabá, Chief Of NASA’s Astronaut Office Comments

Joe Acabá gave the following remarks today: “We undergo rigorous training to prepare, both mentally and physically for the challenges that may arise during any given mission. This mission is a test flight, and as Butch and
Suni expressed ahead of their launch, they knew this mission might not be perfect. Human spaceflight is inherently risky, and as astronauts, we accept that as part of the job.”

He continued, “Right now, the agency has taken the time to ensure we are not putting the crew at a higher risk than is necessary. And as astronauts, that’s always something worth waiting for. As Starliner’s first flight with crew, Butch and Suni gave the ground teams feedback and data on the spacecraft, both during the write-up and now docked to the International Space Station.”

“That added human element continues to be extremely helpful for our teams on the ground. Butch and Suni have also contributed to countless hours of science and research, which I know our ISS program is very thankful for.”

“As most of you know, Butch and Suni are very familiar with life aboard the space station. This is their third station mission for both of them.”

“I do want to put this into perspective. If Butch and Suni do not come home on Starliner and they are kept aboard the station. They will have about eight months on orbit. We have done multiple successful long duration. Missions, even up to a year. Those missions have given us volumes of data about the effects of long duration spaceflight that we continue to use in space exploration.”

“As I assign crew members to a flight and before they launch, we discuss nominal and potential off nominal mission durations. They are always prepared. We are lucky to be in a time in human spaceflight where we have regular resupply missions, enabling the crews aboard the station to receive any extra supplies they may need, and where an eight month mission falls within our standard long duration mission timeframe.”

“I’ve talked to Butch and Suni a number of times throughout their stay, and they continue to be committed to the mission. They are proud to represent our nation, and they continue to show their readiness and resilience. We are proud of all of our current expedition crew aboard the International Space Station as we work through this process.”

“We are proud of the teams on the ground, and we know our CFT crew, Butch and Suni, will be ready to support the direction our agency chooses.”