Tour a Boeing Starliner simulator with two NASA astronauts!

NASA Boeing Starliner astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, both part of Crew Flight Test, show off the Boeing Mission Trainer at NASA's Johnson Space Center. The simulator helped prepare them for their International Space Station mission.
Credit: NASA

[@bowtoy]

I wish these two the best. They have to be the bravest human beings on the face of the planet to go up in starliner.

[@jshepard152]

I doubt they're worried. It's 50x safer than the shuttle.

[@GrapeFlavoredAntifreeze]

@@jshepard152Starliner is NOT 50x safer than the shuttle. Until starliner proves it is safe, it cannot be compared to shuttle. And so far, the problems with starliner and the Boeing company in general do not inspire confidence

[@blaksu]

@@GrapeFlavoredAntifreeze Successful 2nd uncrewed flight test. No issues were being tracked with Starliner at the time the malfunctioned valve was discovered on the launch vehicle (not on Starliner)

[@jshepard152]

@@GrapeFlavoredAntifreeze Starliner has a launch escape system, which has been tested, and most likely works. The back of the envelope math is this. 1:100 rockets fail on launch. So you would have a 1% chance of dying on any launch. But your launch escape system will save you, 99% of the time. This is a feature of capsules, not space shuttles. So your odds of dying are now 1% x 1%. Both the rocket and the escape system would both have to fail, at the same time, for you to die. Very unlikely. But that's a safe vehicle, i.e, a capsule. In a shuttle emergency, the big plan is, you die. 2/135 missions ended with dead astronauts scattered across the ground, or scattered in the ocean. So those odds are known, and they're not good. So yes, Starliner, even with its likely flaws, is at least 50 times safer than shuttle. Most any capsule would be. Plus Atlas V is very reliable, and has been made more reliable during the human rating process. A "Boeing bad" argument doesn't change any of those basic facts.

[@GrapeFlavoredAntifreeze]

@@jshepard152 You only make this argument based on Starliner actually having a 1:100 chance of failure, but you don’t know thats a fact. Thats just a estimate number you came up with from data on previous capsules. And by the way, if the launch has a 1% chance of failure but a 99% chance of the LES saving your life in the chance of that failure, then thats only a .01% chance of dying, not a 1% chance. And yes, Shuttle was inherently dangerous, but we actually know how dangerous it was because it flew over a hundred times. If Starliner flies and fails 3 out of 5 launches, that kinda throws your guesstimate number out the window, doesn’t it?

[@cuebal]

They definitely drew the short straw.

[@ThePineTreesBand]

0:26 “On launch day this is how we would get out, HOPEFULLY EVENTUALLY. “ lol. They’re not even hiding their skepticism 😂

[@christhecieraguy1388]

Good luck and safe travels! They're both rather brave to put their lives in Boeing's hands right now...

[@dave30076]

Parable: when one door closes, another opens Boeing: OOPS!!!!

[@mercuryredstone2235]

"If it's Boeing, I ain't going!"

[@smhdpt12]

Terrible.

[@goodkrypollo1706]

Boeing has a long list of products. Many of them were super successful and are to this day. Boeing makes the Apache attack helicopter, B-52 nuclear bomber, Chinook, Globemaster, and F/A 18.

[@mercuryredstone2235]

@@goodkrypollo1706 Way to defend a company that kills it's whistleblowers.

[@dan797]

Agreed 👍🏼

[@dave30076]

@@goodkrypollo1706 Most of the quality Boeing products were designed long before the company went to crap. A lot of folks will correctly point to the McDonnel Douglas merger as the start of the nightmare.

[@Hyacinth000]

I am so excited that Suni is going back to the space Station! ❤

[@favesongslist]

Two brave astronauts, Gods speed.

[@Khemani_RL]

I remember her ISS tour from all them years ago 😅

[@goodkrypollo1706]

And now she's on a list to go to the moon.

[@Adrian-dy9rl]

@@goodkrypollo1706really? Where can I find the list.

[@JCDragonBall869]

Bad time to put "Boeing" in your video title. Hope the bolts hold, assuming someone bothered to use them all this time around.

[@goodgremlinmedia2757]

Why was that even worth saying

[@camojoe83]

You can bet they have the most diverse work force possible ensuring the diversity of space industry's diversity in space.

[@gregorybennings8718]

@@camojoe83 Blaming Boeing's incompetence on black people is weird. The white CEO cuts corners and ignores numerous safety regulations. Additionally, they murder their whistleblowers who talk to the press about these things. Has nothing to do with 'diversity' or whatever (I bet there are barely any black people working there anyway)

[@david-joeklotz9558]

Wonderful! Have a wonderful flight Suni & Butch. They are so courageous and heroic

[@Dudeonthe1nternet]

Gotta be some of the bravest people in the world to be flying on that thing.

[@knife_knut]

You’re very brave to trust a Boeing door…

[@belcan65]

If you compare it to SpaceX's Dragon.... Starliner looks like it's from previous century.

[@timboatfield]

it is

[@javierderivero9299]

Well, it has one advantage ...it lands not on water, but on land

[@ashokkumartripathi9098]

Also, it's larger than Dragon.

[@Jayc5001]

@@ashokkumartripathi9098 Also it has less usable space. Dragon is as tall and as wide as a human. Starliner is just wide. More space but you cant fly around or do a flip.

[@avgjoe5969]

@@javierderivero9299 True. Dragon 2 had the ability to hover and land on the ground on legs (or use the parachutes) but this was not explored as it required a Lot of certification and they just went with the parachutes... also the legs would penetrate the heat shield... so all the certification work was more than just busy work. Technically, as is, it could still hover and bump down if it had to. (Wouldn't be my first choice.)

[@phcusnret]

I always knew astronauts were brave, but getting into something designed and built by Boeing to go into space? That's just crazy.

[@greggarmin9426]

I hope it’s built better than their aircraft.

[@joeyhouben3270]

well.. we know the problems that still exist (like the heat shield)..

[@donjones4719]

@@joeyhouben3270 The only heat shield problem I've read about recently is on Orion. Those pics came out a few days ago.

[@smarthomer1993]

SpaceX crew dragon looks way way better

[@Apollo17-yz2sh]

They both sound like lovely, sound people

[@selfdefender8609]

Good luck, guys!

[@beesod6412]

I wouldn't ride in that death trap. Best of luck to Butch & Suni.

[@timboatfield]

Even the russians don't want to fly in it

[@camojoe83]

Should they be insulted by sudden demotion to "expendable test pilots" or did they even notice?

[@tripplegracing8276]

Good Luck and Godspeed!!

[@luriv2422]

compared to spacex dragon, that thing looks like stone age technology, almost like apollo era stuff.

[@xh3598]

Boeing also received more funds to develop this shit hole.

[@jerrymarlow5453]

This is so cool. These two are living the dream.

[@avgjoe5969]

Here's hoping they survive the dream. (Boeing leadership needs to be shown the door. This shouldn't have been so hard.)

[@eternalfarewell2646]

I genuinely feel bad for astronauts assigned to this so called spacecraft after it has failed numerous times during past un-crewed missions and with Boeing's failure with the 737 Max, 787 Dreamliner, and KC-46 Pegasus, I would never put my faith in flying to space in a Boeing manufactured product.

[@theelephant2887]

Poor astronauts. Worked so hard to get to where they are, and they are constantly forced to make those videos and look super excited as if they were selling timeshares

[@MGSSAB]

Shows how little you know of the astronaut program lol

[@PropagandaBuster4U]

Love from india captain sunita mam you proud whole nation 💪

[@costar155]

Lucky you, you get to fly 👍👌. question? What road did you take as far as degrees, courses to actually become an astronaut is always been my dream to become one. Thanks in advance

[@jshepard152]

Wikipedia. Suni Williams. It's that easy.

[@somethingclever1234]

You guys are actually ride in that thing?

[@rilandvlog2926]

My dream astronaut

[@prayfawind]

that thing looks like someone made it in their garage with old ass Macgyvered parts , that's the final product after spending over 5 billion dollars, Space X Dragon looks like a Benz that shit looks like an old ass ford taurus

[@IvanMorningstar]

This looks ancient compared to space x dragon .

[@michaelbetts3525]

What's the over-under on the door falling off?

[@siamsaechew6653]

The seats look like a torturing device compared to the dragon seats. 😅

[@ashsmith1448]

Excellent! Now doors can fly off in outer space

[@MrEnky007]

Please make sure all the panels are secured before launch...

[@valderith]

my condolences to the families.

[@lalitsharma3137]

Remind boeing to not forget nuts and bolts. I won't want the door popping off on re-entry.

[@clifflong7944]

Think I will wait for the crazy guy's design....

[@gregorybennings8718]

Boeing? Are you serious? You're asking for trouble there.

[@gerry4915]

Back to the future capsule

[@stenic2]

It resembles the Apollo CM

[@jaytc3218]

Godspeed, Capricorn One!🤣

[@tommmandryk714]

Are all the bolts in and properly secured Boeing?

[@camojoe83]

By the gayest, brownest hands possible!

[@alexrebmann1253]

From what I read the rocket itself is a Atlas V which is made by a company that 50 % Boeing and 50% Lockheed.

[@donjones4719]

Yes, the company is ULA, United Launch Alliance. Thankfully, it has its own management that's independent of Boeing. The Atlas V has a sterling reputation for reliability. Last night there was a valve problem on the Atlas V but it's the kind of small glitch that's common in the launch business.

[@chardelraconner7324]

so have you done this before or you just doing community service

[@austinjohnson2762]

how many billion and years late?

[@messertl]

If it is Boeing, it ain't going.

[@earth_ling]

Glad I’m not flying in the sardine can. Got claustrophobic just watching the video 😮

[@Delta-V-Heavy]

I like the tactile controls and the forward-viewing window in front of the commander’s seat. Feels very practical. Looking forward to CFT!

[@donjones4719]

The commander will be looking at a screen in front of them, that console doesn't contain a window. I do like the physical controls.

[@Delta-V-Heavy]

@@donjones4719 There is a window, I believe just above and a bit to the left of the commander’s console, which the commander can easily look through from the seated position. This is the big rectangular window you can see on the outside of the capsule.

[@garypugh1153]

Its a big apollo capsule ?

[@avgjoe5969]

Yes. 50 years later, this is the best they could do with $5 billion.

[@Paul1958R]

NASA - No taxpayer dollar left unwasted

[@donjones4719]

Thankfully this is the one exception - sort of. This was built on a fixed price contract so the failures and fixes and delays were paid for by Boeing - they've lost a billion dollars on this. (Previous NASA contracts for something like this were cost-plus.)

[@dral9971]

I also want to go into space. Actually.

[@Scramblerkidd]

I watched Boeing’s first failed test flight. I will say it was spectacular. For the sake of the crew I hope they don’t blow the doors off

[@tonymcflattie2450]

Double check the doors

[@BIBIWCICC]

I won’t even fly a Boeing commercial jet let alone trust the company to fire me into space. I bet here guys found it impossible to get life insurance.

[@clarenceghammjr1326]

Is Vegas taking bets on this?

[@user-jc3ms8wt4s]

Now that's a chin

[@NWRefund]

If I notice something off, is Boeing going to kill me?

[@quakerninja]

Will they be wearing space suits?

[@jshepard152]

Of course.

[@donjones4719]

Sure. Google "Boeing Starliner space suits." They're ugly as hell but NASA made sure they work.

[@IvanMorningstar]

I wouldnt even dare to go in a Boeing flight, let alone spaceship.

[@synergy021]

Quadruple check the explosive hatch bolts.

[@SamtheShazam]

I dont have a aerospace degree pls take me in 😢😢

[@vapid_b]

so boeing does one thing great... the pannels coming off

[@dust1209]

Starliner MAX

[@user-ph1nj8iw8d]

Guod morning mogoyyy .AT allan gatmaitan

[@user-oh2cy3bk9p]

Ботинки у "красивой тёти" хорошие

[@jacquesjacques-yh8hh]

Dragon seems much better......and spacious

[@alanhelton]

Well isn’t that funny because that’s the only way you can fly the system… it doesn’t actually launch and when it does a Boeing employee gets Clinton’d… literally

[@rahulramteke3210]

This gonna blow up mid flight

[@D-TRIL]

😮

[@gerry4915]

Its made by Boeing....check the hatch...😂

[@user-lh3dq4zt7u]

Like Russia in a farmer's field.

[@cordobadebear]

This looks like 40 year old tech, comparing to the spacex dragon…

[@timboatfield]

Yep that's about right

[@ashokkumartripathi9098]

It's all about asthaetics. This is larger than Dragon and could land on land unlike Dragon.

[@jshepard152]

@@ashokkumartripathi9098 Dragon could have landed on land. NASA steered them into water recovery.

[@cagool2fray]

c ets un vrai menton ? 🤣😂

[@camojoe83]

DEI = Didn't Earn It Boeing StarLiner: assembled by the most diverse work force to ever equitably include people that weren't the most qualified for the job.

[@donjones4719]

Get off your one track mind, it's not healthy.

[@curmudgeonextraordinaire1884]

Still cramped as hell. Not much bigger than Apollo.

[@jshepard152]

Ever been inside an Apollo Command Module? This is a lot bigger.

[@Fonworld]

Hello Suni you're my favorite Lady 🚀🌌☄️🪐

[@jebace]

wish them good don't bring politics in comments

[@muhammadmudassar-1243]

I pass on for perivet Astronauts financial rights pkgs. Ok 〽️ 👍

[@bobbreit5244]

You see this control here? (No) I'll be working this panel.(What panel?)..... good luck!

[@n310ea]

Boeing can't even get the 737-MAX right, how are they going to get the Starliner right? If I was an astronaut, I'd rather launch on a Soyuz, at least Soyuz has a 100% success rate and zero fatalities.

[@avgjoe5969]

zero fatalities but they had a single fail on the manned version. On the other versions they are about 97% success rate.

[@jimsin101]

What about Soyuz 1 and 11?

[@Scooterdude01]

I'm not impressed

[@timboatfield]

@@JohnSmith-uy2jg To avoid a monopoly and or single point of failure. What if a critical fault or mishap grounded the falcon 9 or dragon?

[@favesongslist]

@@timboatfield Big issue is the human rated Atlas rocket is now obsolete, only a few left then what? Also last I heard Boeing have no plans beyond their current NASA contract to make Starliners.

[@timboatfield]

@@favesongslist Totally valid points. I was just answering the question. It must be getting close to a record of how many times you can lose faith in a company!

[@favesongslist]

@@timboatfield Sadly so true. Lets hope Sierra Space's Dreamliner human rating is supported by the US gov, they are one amazing company.

[@xh3598]

Boeing also received more funds to develop this shit hole.

[@donjones4719]

SpaceX and Dragon are way superior, obviously. But the difference in the award amounts is perennially mis-interpreted. The contract is for the number of flights (6 operational flights after the crewed test one), not for the spacecraft. The cost includes the rocket. Since Starliner could only launch on an expendable rocket, Atlas V, it inevitably was going to cost more per flight, even if they developed Starliner for the exact same cost as Dragon. Also, SpaceX had been flying Cargo Dragon for years, they had the heat shield tech and other systems tech, a lot of basic design stuff and even tooling. Yes, Dragon 2 is a lot different from Cargo Dragon but that's still a big head start cost-wise.

[@wally7856]

What a piece of junk! At least you don't have to shower before the flight. You can wash up on shore after the launch! Go look at crew dragon if you want to see what a spaceship should look like.

[@akmuo]

This egress concept is asinine!

[@liefbrunhilda926]

What a waste of time and money, to continue this program.

[@mitchbatten8281]

What a waste of taxpayer money.

[@dangermouse00]

Lol utter bull per usual. Space travel space station ,the usual pseudoscience pushed by the clowns.

[@dankenoyer5184]

Absolute junk technology. Old, expensive , unreliable...

[@PorPor.T]

looks harder than space x

[@thomasgriffith2953]

Wouldn't fly in anything built by Boeing!!!!

[@SocialismSucks]

Hope the exit door stays on😬