I can believe that there are upset workers, but it seems like shoddy journalism to just find one to speak for them.
12 thoughts on ““Boeing Workers Humiliated””
Following that theme…
Instead of uploading new software to do the undocking, they should send up a Tesla Optimus on a Cargo Dragon and put it in Starliner so that it could press the “Undock” button.
I do wonder how much of that “Needs a human inside to undock” is a continuation of the whole “vehicle vs. capsule” debate that started back in the Mercury days.
Where the astronauts wanted a vehicle they could control and the engineers wanted a capsule where the astronaut was just a passenger.
Did some astronaut (or former astronaut) say “We won’t need an automated undock – that’s what the *pilot* is for.”?
The thing that puzzles me about this issue is Boeing conducted a (mostly) successful uncrewed test flight that included docking and undocking with the ISS. No one was on board. Why does someone need to be on board now? Did Boeing remove that proven functionality from the software for some reason, and if so, why?
How much do you want to bet that the software for the manned flight was completely re-written for the new spacecraft? And that’s why there’s no automated capability?
Fraser Cain went over this in a recent video. Evidently, the code for the automated flight operations had been removed and has to be uploaded as a patch to the software for human flight operations. The only problem is, the whole software load containing both parts has never been tested as a complete load.
But, hey, what could go wrong? It should be as safe as a 737 MAX 8.
This article is generally old news for readers of this estimable blog, but I had not known Lori Garver and Michael Sheetz have written a new book about Commercial Crew.
Following that theme…
Instead of uploading new software to do the undocking, they should send up a Tesla Optimus on a Cargo Dragon and put it in Starliner so that it could press the “Undock” button.
The Boeing employees I know (Seattle area) consider the Starliner guys McDonnel Douglass
I do wonder how much of that “Needs a human inside to undock” is a continuation of the whole “vehicle vs. capsule” debate that started back in the Mercury days.
Where the astronauts wanted a vehicle they could control and the engineers wanted a capsule where the astronaut was just a passenger.
Did some astronaut (or former astronaut) say “We won’t need an automated undock – that’s what the *pilot* is for.”?
The thing that puzzles me about this issue is Boeing conducted a (mostly) successful uncrewed test flight that included docking and undocking with the ISS. No one was on board. Why does someone need to be on board now? Did Boeing remove that proven functionality from the software for some reason, and if so, why?
How much do you want to bet that the software for the manned flight was completely re-written for the new spacecraft? And that’s why there’s no automated capability?
Fraser Cain went over this in a recent video. Evidently, the code for the automated flight operations had been removed and has to be uploaded as a patch to the software for human flight operations. The only problem is, the whole software load containing both parts has never been tested as a complete load.
But, hey, what could go wrong? It should be as safe as a 737 MAX 8.
There’s a chance that uploading the patch may brick the Starliner.
“Would it help if I got out and pushed?”
“Would it help if I got out and pushed?”
Would it help if I started printing sightseeing tickets to ArizonaCJ’s hole in the ground?
With out a doubt, by removing that code they no longer have to pay support engineers in India to maintain it.
https://fee.org/articles/does-obama-deserve-credit-for-elon-musk-s-spacex-triumph-yes-and-no/
This article is generally old news for readers of this estimable blog, but I had not known Lori Garver and Michael Sheetz have written a new book about Commercial Crew.
And I just realized the article is four years old. I am even farther out of the loop than I knew.
I wish I really gave a damn about Boeing workers being humiliated. I really do…