SpaceX has shared its knowledge of crewed parachute systems with Boeing in order to help the company resolve parachute issues with its Starliner spacecraft, according to a recent tweet by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk.
SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft that transports astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) uses four parachutes to enable a soft ocean landing after returning from space. Boeing’s Starliner capsule is also designed to utilize parachutes for its return to Earth, but the company has faced problems with its parachute system during recent tests.
In a tweet on July 26, 2023, Musk said that SpaceX “provided its knowledge of crewed parachute systems to Boeing and we are happy to be helpful in any other ways.” Musk added that designing parachutes for orbital, crewed spacecraft is “much harder than it may seem” and it was “a major challenge for SpaceX.”
The decision by SpaceX to share its parachute expertise with Boeing is a significant gesture of collaboration between the two companies. It also demonstrates the increasing maturity of the commercial spaceflight industry, as competitors become more willing to share vital information and know-how to ensure crew safety.
It remains unclear just how much SpaceX’s parachute knowledge will aid Boeing in resolving its own parachute problems. However, such information sharing is undoubtedly a positive step and could be key to helping Boeing get the Starliner program back on track and ready for crewed missions to the ISS.
In addition to supplying its parachute expertise, SpaceX has offered other technical aid to Boeing’s Starliner program. This includes providing engineering support, troubleshooting assistance, and even flying Starliner astronauts aboard SpaceX’s Dragon should the need arise.
The cooperation between the two companies highlights the growing maturity of the commercial space sector. As the industry becomes more experienced, companies seem increasingly willing to share vital information and capabilities to ensure crew safety and mission success. Such collaboration will be essential for making spaceflight more affordable, reliable, and accessible in the future.
