Main Engine Cut Off T+299: Starliner, According to Butch and Suni (with Eric Berger)
Apr 3, 2025
In this discussion, Eric Berger, a space journalist at Ars Technica, sheds light on his recent interviews with astronauts Butch and Suni following their challenging Starliner flight. He reveals surprising details about the mission's unforeseen issues and the critical decisions made in the face of thruster failures. Berger also explores the political dynamics impacting NASA’s future goals and highlights the urgent need for thorough testing before upcoming crewed missions, revealing the complex interplay of space exploration and policy.
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Political Maneuvering
- Butch Wilmore is the only astronaut to publicly support Elon Musk's claims about Dragon flights.
- Astronauts, especially those with 25 years of experience like Wilmore, are adept at navigating controversial questions.
Hidden Dangers
- Starliner's flight was far more dangerous than NASA initially portrayed.
- Butch Wilmore revealed that one more thruster failure would have meant complete loss of control.
Docking vs. Abort
- Docking with the ISS was deemed less risky than attempting a return to Earth with failing thrusters.
- Both Butch and Suni confirmed this assessment of the situation.