---
title: "NASA Warns SpaceX and Boeing About Safety Flaws in Spacecraft"
description: "NASA commissioned SpaceX and Boeing to develop shuttles for crewed missions. Upcoming test flights may be delayed as NASA found several safety flaws."
date: "2019-02-21"
modified: "2019-02-21"
authors:
  - name: "Dan Robitzski"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/danrobitzski.md"
url: "https://futurism.com/nasa-spacex-boeing-safety-flaws-rockets"
categories:
  - "Boeing"
  - "NASA"
  - "Space"
  - "SpaceX"
tags:
  - "boeing"
  - "NASA"
  - "space"
  - "SpaceX"
---

# NASA Warns SpaceX and Boeing About Safety Flaws in Spacecraft

![NASA commissioned SpaceX and Boeing to develop shuttles for crewed missions. Upcoming test flights may be delayed as NASA found several safety flaws.](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/nasa-spacex-boeing-safety-flaws-rockets.png>)
*\<em\>Image: NASA\</em\>*

## Back to the Basics

Both Boeing and SpaceX are working to develop tools for NASA to use in upcoming crewed missions from the International Space Station.

While NASA planned on launching test flights over the next few months, the whole program may be delayed as the government agency has found over 30 technical flaws or safety hazards for each company's system, [according to *Reuters*](<https://www.reuters.com/article/us-space-spacex-boeing-exclusive/exclusive-spacex-boeing-design-risks-threaten-new-delays-for-us-space-program-idUSKCN1QA0GU>) — a startling rebuke of the efforts of two premier private spaceflight companies to do work for the U.S. government.

"SpaceX and Boeing both have challenges, both comparable, from a safety perspective," a source from within the government told *Reuters*.

## Plan B

In the past, NASA has paid Russia's space agency to shuttle astronauts but is currently leaning on private industry to develop alternative options.

NASA spokesperson Joshua Finch told *Reuters* that the agency was willing to delay missions as long as is necessary to make sure that astronauts will actually reach the space station safely.

## Geronimo!

For SpaceX, NASA reported concerns over how the rocket is presently fueled with astronauts already on board. NASA also found problems with how SpaceX rockets orient themselves when landing in water.

Meanwhile, it said, Boeing capsules may not be structurally sound. And both companies, according to *Reuters*, may not have adequate parachute systems to ensure a safe landing.

**READ MORE:** [Exclusive: SpaceX, Boeing design risks threaten new delays for U.S. space program](<https://www.reuters.com/article/us-space-spacex-boeing-exclusive/exclusive-spacex-boeing-design-risks-threaten-new-delays-for-us-space-program-idUSKCN1QA0GU>) \[*Reuters*\]

***More on NASA:*** ***[Apollo Astronaut: It Would Be “Stupid” to Send People to Mars](<https://futurism.com/apollo-astronaut-stupid-people-mars.md>)***

## Author
Dan Robitzki is a senior reporter for Futurism, where he likes to cover AI, tech ethics, and medicine. He spends his extra time fencing and streaming games from Los Angeles, California.

### Author social links  
[Twitter](<https://x.com/danrobitzski>)

## More

- [NASA Safety Panel Raises Concerns Over SpaceX and Boeing Spacecraft](<https://futurism.com/nasa-safety-panel-raises-concerns-spacex-boeing-spacecraft.md>)
- [SpaceX and Boeing Delays Could Cost NASA Access to the ISS](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/commercial-crew-program-delays-iss.md>)
- [Both SpaceX and Boeing Are on Track to Launch Astronauts Into Space in 2018](<https://futurism.com/both-spacex-and-boeing-are-on-track-to-launch-astronauts-into-space-in-2018.md>)
- [SpaceX Will Be Ready to Transport Humans in April 2019, NASA Estimates](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/crewed-test-nasa-spacex-boeing.md>)
- [NASA May Be Forced to Send Boeing’s Busted Spacecraft Back Empty](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/nasa-forced-send-boeing-starliner-back-empty.md>)
- [NASA Announces Date for First SpaceX Crew Dragon Test Flight](<https://futurism.com/spacex-nasa-crew-flight.md>)
- [Boeing Is Getting Absolutely Destroyed by SpaceX](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/boeing-starliner-crew-dragon-gap.md>)
- [NASA: Boeing Spaceflights Are Way Pricier Than SpaceX](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/ticket-space-boeing-more-expensive-spacex.md>)