Despite a recent spat with the spacecraft's primary supplier, NASA and Boeing are finalizing the CST-100 Starliner's second uncrewed test flight to International Space Station (ISS).
The current conflict, which has not been published, comes as Boeing struggles to recover from a series of problems that have hampered its airplane business and depleted financial reserves.
CAPE CANAVERAL, FL - DECEMBER 18: A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with Boeings CST-100 Starliner spacecraft onboard is seen illuminated by spotlights on the launch pad at Space Launch Complex 41 ahead of the Orbital Flight Test mission, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2019 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The uncrewed Orbital Flight Test will be Starliners maiden mission to the International Space Station for NASA's Commercial Crew Program. The mission, currently targeted for a 6:26 a.m. EST launch on Dec. 20, will serve as an end-to-end test of the system's capabilities.
NASA, Boeing Prepares Uncrewed CST-100 Starliner Test Flight
The crew revealed that the Starliner mission would launch on May 19 during a special meeting on Wednesday.
Starliner, we are go for launch.
— Boeing Space (@BoeingSpace) May 11, 2022
In today's Flight Readiness Review, Boeing, @NASA and its international partners gave a "go" for Orbital Flight Test-2.
Thank you, NASA, for working side-by-side with us to prepare for #OFT2.
Learn more: https://t.co/AsIXVDWQHn pic.twitter.com/DeiOdXFND9
"NASA and Boeing are proceeding with plans for the uncrewed Orbital Flight Test-2 (OFT-2) to the International Space Station (ISS) following a full day of briefings and discussions during a Flight Readiness Review that took place at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida," Boeing said.
NASA will have another vehicle to use for human trips alongside SpaceX's successful Crew Dragon spacecraft if Boeing can show the safety and reliability of their Starliner capsule in the forthcoming test flight.
Commercial Crew Program manager Steve Stich said on Wednesday (per Digital Trends) that the most crucial task is to perform this orbital flight test without a crew to test key Starliner components like the rendezvous navigation system and NASA docking system.
The CST-100 Starliner is set to fly to the International Space Station atop an Atlas 5 rocket from Florida, with Boeing hoping to demonstrate to NASA that the spacecraft is safe to transport humans to and from the orbiting outpost.
Boeing, Aerojet Feud
Sources told CNN that Boeing and Aerojet of El Segundo, California, are at war over a problem with fuel valves in the Starliner propulsion system that prompted a test flight postponement last July, with the two firms blaming each other.
The Aerojet issue is the latest example of Boeing's troubles with the Starliner program, which has cost the corporation $595 million since its inception in 2019. Faced with fixed-price NASA contracts that left Boeing with little financial flexibility, the Starliner test has moved forward.
In a statement to Reuters, Boeing disclosed for the first time that it planned to alter the Starliner's valve system to avoid a repetition of the issue that necessitated the test flight postponement last year. According to a statement from Boeing, they focus on short- and long-term valve design adjustments.
Last year's postponement was due to the discovery of thirteen fuel valves that are part of a propulsion system that helps steer Starliner in orbit locked and unresponsive in the closed position.
According to a team of Boeing and NASA experts, the source of the jammed valves is a chemical interaction involving propellant, aluminum alloys, and moisture ingress from Starliner's humid Florida launch location.
Cause of Boeing vs. Aerojet Feud
Boeing said in the same CNN report that the testing to establish the underlying cause of the valve issue is now complete. However, the investigation did not uncover the problems mentioned by Aerojet.
According to two of the sources, Aerojet experts and attorneys blame a cleaning chemical used in ground testing by Boeing.
A spokesperson for Aerojet declined to comment.
This week, NASA, Boeing, Aerojet, and independent safety consultants will meet to determine the origin of the valve difficulties and whether or not the interim patch will work.
Boeing managers privately consider Aerojet's explanation for the malfunctioning valves as an attempt to divert blame for the expensive Starliner delay and avoid paying for a rebuilt valve system, according to sources.
Boeing's battle with Aerojet isn't the first with a Starliner subcontractor. In 2017, during a ground test, Starliner experienced an accident requiring a separate subcontractor's president to have his leg severed. The subcontractor sued, and the issue was eventually resolved by Boeing.
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