Boeing Ousts Head of Troubled Space Unit After Astronauts Left Stranded, Billions in Losses

Executive shakeup follows years of delays and cost overruns

Boeing has fired the chief of its troubled space division amid years of delays and billions in losses on its Starliner capsule program. John Mulholland, who had supervised the unit since 2020, was replaced by Boeing veteran Ted Colbert, the head of Boeing Defense, Space & Security, the company announced Thursday.

Astronauts stranded, billions lost

The leadership change comes after NASA astronauts were stranded in orbit for days in 2021 due to Starliner software glitches, and after the company absorbed about $595 million in Starliner-related charges last year. Delays in the program, meant to ferry astronauts to and from the International Space Station, have pushed its costs to more than $6 billion, according to the Space Force.

Mulholland oversaw string of mishaps

Under Mulholland's watch, Starliner endured a litany of setbacks. An uncrewed test flight in 2019 failed to reach the space station due to a software error that prevented the capsule from entering the correct orbit. The 2021 crewed flight was plagued by additional software problems, leading to delays and a shortened mission. The capsule also suffered propulsion issues during that mission, requiring an emergency landing.

Colbert faces daunting task

Colbert inherits a program that remains grounded while engineers work to resolve the software problems that have plagued Starliner. The delays have also given SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule a significant lead in the commercial crew transportation market.

Cost overruns, schedule delays

In addition to the software issues, Starliner has been hampered by cost overruns and schedule delays. The program was originally supposed to cost about $4.2 billion and begin flying astronauts in 2017. The latest estimate puts the cost at more than $6 billion, and the first crewed flight is now targeted for no earlier than 2024.

Boeing's reputation at stake

The Starliner program is crucial to Boeing's ambitions in the commercial space market. The company has invested heavily in the program, and its success is seen as a key to Boeing's future in space. However, the delays and cost overruns have damaged Boeing's reputation and raised questions about the company's ability to deliver on its promises.

NASA's patience waning

NASA has also grown increasingly frustrated with the delays and cost overruns. In a statement, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said that the agency is "disappointed" with the progress of the Starliner program and that Boeing needs to "make significant progress" in order to regain NASA's confidence.

Conclusion

The ousting of John Mulholland is a sign that Boeing is taking the Starliner program's problems seriously. However, it remains to be seen whether Colbert can turn the program around and restore Boeing's reputation in the space market.