Boing Boing's Starliner failed to launch once more. How many years is this thing late and how many Billions over budget Maybe they could subcontract with X for the launch - if they can fit it into their busy launch schedule.... Beltway Bandits are now the laughingstock...only the taxpayers are not laughing...
Part of this is the loss of so many good quality contractors in this country, many of whom made the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo launches spectacular successes. Over the years, though, many of them have been absorbed by bigger companies, like Boeing, who didn't necessarily inherit the spirit of adventure and good engineering that the companies they bought once had. And, I'm sure, the other problem is that NASA has made this new capsule one helluva engineering headache, with all sorts of bells and whistles. While forgetting the cardinal rule of engineering: KISS.
Just remember all of the postponed launches during the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs. Don't get me started on the Space Shuttle and all of those launch delays. There is always a gremlin or two in the works...somewhere...just waiting.
NASA kept redesigning the wheel, every few years they would scrap the plans and begin again. The Starliner/ULA system is so overpriced that they will only be able to launch the few that they have completed or are under construction, and then they will be forced to go with the SpaceX systems, which are much cheaper.
