Boeing HQ
Boeing’s troubled Starliner remains a key topic in the news as it is scheduled to return home without astronauts about 6:01pm eastern time later today. Apparently NASA will try to avoid an overheating problem with the thrusters by rotating their use as it moves the Starliner quickly away from the International Space Station, as it does not want an accident. One element of the validation of a crew transport module, a trip around the ISS to survey the facility, has been canceled, meaning Boeing still has items from this trip to check off in the future.
NPR also had an interesting discussion on the privatization of space travel and the future of the two player system. Their guest gave SpaceX a high grade and Boeing a failing grade for their programs.
On the potential strike front, Acting US Secretary of Labor Julie Su urged Boeing and the IAM to come to an agreement before their September 12th deadline. With the IAM indicating a wide gap remains with Boeing, we are not optimistic that a settlement will be reached.
On the military front, Boeing is pitching the latest version of its Chinook helicopter to Poland, as it could provide a support mechanism for the recently purchased Apache helicopters, and provide interoperability with NATO forces. We wish them good luck.
Finally, in today’s strangest story, three Boeing 777 fuselages were transported by road between Jeddah and Riyadh to be a part of a new tourist attraction for the Kingdom. One would have thought a ferry flight could have been cheaper and faster. When I first visited the Kingdom, tourism was virtually prohibited, but is now being promoted in a 180 degree overhaul, as Saudi Arabia continues to very slowly, but positively, evolve socially to embrace diversity. If airplanes can help, so be it. Boeing, of course, is hoping to land an order to replace those early 777s with 777X models, so stay tuned.
Links to today’s key stories follow:
- NASA will attempt to launch Boeing’s troubled Starliner away from Space Station as fast as possible – just in case – Futurism
- The state of space travel privatization after Boeing’s Starliner difficulties – KUOW
- Boeing and workers encouraged to reach fair contract by acting US Labor Secretary – Simple Flying
- Boeing pitches latest Chinook variant to Poland – Flight Global
- Saudia transports three Boeing 777s from Jeddah to Riyadh by road – Aerotime
Stupid journalism. Flying 777s parked for years would have been extremely complex and really expensive!