Boeing and SpaceX's Major Week Highlights Their Differences

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Overview: Starweek

I apologize for the delay in the delivery of this newsletter. I understand that many of you, like me, were engrossed in watching the historic spaceflight livestreams on that day.

The Starliner mission was a success when Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams entered the ISS. Although the docking process was a bit bumpy, the company and NASA managed to overcome the challenges and reach the space station. Despite the helium leaks and testy thrusters, the team felt a sense of relief after the "contact and capture" call confirmed the spacecraft's arrival.

SpaceX's Starship successfully completed its fourth test flight, surpassing its previous milestones. The rocket's latest flight went the distance, marking a significant achievement in its development. The test flight showcased the Starship's capabilities, with a nailbiter ending that left viewers on the edge of their seats. A cracked camera peered through the soot at the little flap that could, adding to the excitement of the mission.

The convergence of significant moments in the Star-things prompts a frequently asked question: What distinguishes Boeing from SpaceX?

In the context of comparing Starliner with SpaceX's Dragon, which has been a veteran of human spaceflight, or SpaceX's dominant run in winning government contracts for launch, exploration missions, and more, I typically receive that question.

The reality is that one mission carried the precious cargo of two souls, while the other is still hundreds of launches away from achieving that.

The visuals of the flights reveal a difference in how the companies approach space.

Starliner's launch was visible from the Space Coast for a few minutes before the view was replaced with animations and telemetry data overlays. Despite not seeing Butch or Suni or witnessing the journey from Starliner's perspective, the reason for this was not a contract requirement beyond critical mission phases, and Boeing does not plan to add this feature for a few flights.

The launch of Starship was cinematic and provided live views from dozens of angles. Millions have now seen the rocket's Raptors crackle at liftoff, the booster slip back through the atmosphere, the Earth whizzing by below, the rainbow plasma of reentry, and the flap doing its best Terminator 2 impression.

While Boeing is fulfilling an agreement, SpaceX is selling the future.

The public interest, as indicated by the inaccurate metric of viral social media posts, also reflects the difference. Although my recent coverage of vehicles is 10-to-1 in favor of Starliner, I couldn't open Instagram, TikTok, X, Reddit, or even LinkedIn yesterday without seeing Starship. The few Starliner posts I saw were from official NASA accounts or industry insiders celebrating the milestone.

It is a remarkable achievement for Boeing to safely transport astronauts to the Space Station, as it is only the sixth U.S.-made spacecraft to do so in the history of American human spaceflight.

The public responded with a shrug to Boeing's achievement, while Starship captured their attention. A TV newsroom worker believes the difference lies in the value of a live view.

What's up

NASA has turned down a private proposal to revitalize the aging Hubble telescope, citing potential risks to science and technology challenges.
The Chang'e 6 spacecraft, which is China's lunar return mission, gathered samples, displayed a Chinese flag on the far side of the moon, and then took off from the surface. It is expected to land on June 25. – The Guardian
Oleg Kononenko, currently on his fifth spaceflight, has set a new cumulative space time record for any person.
Axiom has made advancements in lunar spacesuits testing at SpaceX's headquarters, specifically with the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) and parts of Starship. – Axiom
The OIG audit revealed that NASA's "risk-averse practices and policies" have led to "higher costs and delayed delivery schedules" in the commercial lunar cargo program, also known as CLPS.
Slingshot Aerospace has announced the launch of an AI satellite tracking tool in collaboration with DARPA. The system, named Agatha, will identify "anomalous spacecraft within large satellite constellations."
The companies demonstrated a data relay demo for NASA, claiming it to be the first commercial method of relaying data between satellites in multiple orbits. This was done as NASA is seeking a privately-developed replacement for TDRSS (Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System). – Via Satellite
NASA's PREFIRE launches are completed by Electron, with the two missions launched within 11 days of each other. These climate-focused satellites, PREFIRE (Polar Radiant Energy in the Far-InfraRed Experiment), will measure heat lost in space from the Earth's polar regions. – Rocket Lab
K2, a mega satellite startup, recently test-fired its thruster, a krypton-powered Hall effect thruster that the company claims will consume 20 kilowatts of power, four times the power of any known Hall effect thruster flown to date. K2 is gearing up for its first satellite launch later this year.
The FAA has added Sierra Space and SpaceX to its live flight data tracker, which is part of the Space Data Integrator (SDI). This tool enables the FAA to more rapidly reopen airspace following the launch or reentry of spacecraft.

Industry maneuvers

Firefly has secured a $375 million contract for rocket launches, purchasing 25 Alpha rockets for launches through 2029, including a first mission later this year. The value of the contract was not disclosed, but Alpha is advertised at $15 million per launch.
Iridium has been awarded a $94 million Space Force contract for a five-year deal to use its Enhanced Mobile Satellite Services (EMSS) to support critical U.S. government applications.
BlackSky has secured a $7 million contract renewal from an unnamed international government customer, with the duration of the deal remaining undisclosed.

Market movers

Astra is set to go private soon, with the company filing updated information on its merger process and background on how it arrived at this position. Additionally, the company announced that it will relocate its satellite propulsion manufacturing facility to its Alameda, California headquarters in order to consolidate operations.

Boldly going

In New Zealand, Sir Peter Beck was knighted as a "Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the aerospace industry." – Crux
NASA appointed Jonathan Lunine as the Chief Scientist at JPL, who previously worked at Cornell University.
Karlton Johnson has been appointed CEO of the National Space Society, in addition to his role as CEO of Delaine, an advisory group. He succeeds Anita Gale, who passed away unexpectedly.