 But after years of delay and more than a billion dollars over budget, Starliner was meant to be a big win for Boeing as it faces a safety crisis over its airplanes. It would be humiliating if the astronauts Boeing put in orbit have to be brought back home by Russia or SpaceX. Of course, if Starliner does manage to complete its mission, it'll be one step closer to becoming a routine mode of transport for NASA, although astronauts may overpack for future flights just in case.