Soyuz Failure 'Very Rare,' Former Astronaut Bolden Says

Charles Bolden discusses the rarity of Soyuz spacecraft incidents and their impact on space missions. He highlights the challenges faced by NASA due to reliance on Russian spacecraft and the future potential of US spacecraft like SpaceX and Boeing Starliner. Bolden clarifies that current efforts are a continuation of past policies, not a resurgence. He emphasizes the importance of government funding and the current limitations of commercial spaceflight.

What past incident involving a Soyuz spacecraft is mentioned in the discussion?

• A cosmonaut was ejected from the launchpad after a fire.

• A Soyuz spacecraft collided with a satellite.

• A Soyuz spacecraft was lost in space.

• A Soyuz spacecraft failed to launch due to weather conditions.

What is NASA's current limitation in sending astronauts to the International Space Station?

• Dependence on Russian spacecraft due to restrictions with China.

• Lack of funding for new spacecraft.

• Technical issues with the Space Shuttle.

• Inability to collaborate with European space agencies.

What are the future spacecraft options mentioned for NASA to launch crews from the US?

• Soyuz and Space Shuttle

• Boeing Starliner and SpaceX Crew Dragon

• Orion and Blue Origin

• Dragonfly and New Shepard

What is the current state of interest in human spaceflight according to the discussion?

• It is a continuation of past efforts, not a resurgence.

• There is a significant resurgence in interest.

• Interest has declined significantly.

• Interest is focused only on robotic missions.

Who is currently the primary customer for human spaceflight?

• Chinese National Space Administration

• European Space Agency

• Private space tourism companies

• The US government and NASA