IS the US Election delaying NASA's Starliner decision?

[AviatorTom]

Starliner docked with the ISS

If you haven't been following the news...

Boeing's Starliner space capsule docked with the International Space Station (ISS) in June for what was planned to be an one-week visit, and then return to earth, with astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams aboard.

Then, problems were found with Starliner and Butch and Suni have been on ISS since, for the past 8 weeks, as NASA and Boeing engineers try to figure out the propblem and what to do about it. NASA now has to decide if Starliner is safe for Butch and Suni to return onboard, and NASA continue to delay its decision on that.

It's now possible that NASA will delay returning them until next February.

An interesting new theory may explain that delay.

Kamala Harris, Democratic party nominee for this fall's presidential election, is the head of the National Space Council. Should something happen to Butch and Suni if they return on Starliner, that would not look good for her, and could affect the election. Interestingly, waiting until February puts any Starliner risk after the next president (possibly Harris) takes office in January.

Some may call this a conspiracy theory, or maybe its just another factor in NASA's decision-making process.

What do you think?

[RebelinSteel]

I reckon you started with the problem…Boeing's Starliner space capsule docked with the International Space Station (ISS) in June.

NASA should not have to decide, Boeing are responsible. They should not have been allowed to send it into space. I imagine NASA asked Boeing if it was safe to return, and Boeing could not provide an answer other than erm it’s pretty fucked. It would be better if Boeing fixed its large number of earth based problems before anyone lets them put junk into space on a regular basis. This should have zero political issues around it, it’s down to Boeing.

[AviatorTom]

@rebelinsteel The question is not about the spacecraft, it's about the astronauts (Butch and Suni) who are NASA employees. It's NASA's decision to determine the safety of its employees. Boeing claims the spacecraft is safe for the astronauts, NASA is not convinced.

[RebelinSteel]

It is about the space craft it was built by Boeing. NASA are 100% in the right, Boeing are trying to apply their shit quality and testing to something NASA take very seriously. In July Boeing said there were problems with its platform, they are using the word ‘test flight’ too much and that issues should be expected on test flights, needless to say NASA are pissed off with Boeing. Then again Boeing should be used with people, countries and other agencies being pissed off with it.

[Staximus]

I always wanted a space ship but I think I'll just get another classic car. At least I can call a tow truck.

[purplepoppy]

Well according to the transcript.

Can I count on your vote?

Well actually I've always voted republican.

Oh, shame you won't be on Earth to vote.

WHAT?

[dustybiker2]

Hostile. People are freaking out that trump has a real opponent now.

[BCA6010]

I think incompetence from multiple parties involved has a lot more to do with it than political maneuvering.

[noohair]

I would hope it is not a political decision. I think that Boeing built a piece of junk and they know that it was by the grace of G-d that the astronauts survived. With all the problems Boeing has, the Starliner could sink them.

[exitseven]

What is more likely is that Kamalas' incompetence as the head of the National State Council is what caused the problem with the rocket.

[OlderAndWiser]

I think we will never know the truth.

[RavVid]

I'm buying the no risk approach big time

[NathanDavis]

lmao...