The much-anticipated Boeing Starliner capsule’s Crew Flight Test mission to the International Space Station has hit a roadblock, with the launch being delayed from mid-April to early May. The delay is attributed to scheduling conflicts with the ISS.
The upcoming test flight will see NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams embarking on a 10-day stay on the ISS. This mission is crucial for Boeing, as technical issues with Starliner’s parachutes and wiring have caused setbacks in the past.
Boeing has been working on developing Starliner under a contract with NASA since 2014. The spacecraft has already completed two uncrewed test flights, with the second one successfully launching in May 2022.
In addition to Boeing, NASA also awarded SpaceX a commercial crew contract in 2014. SpaceX has since launched eight operational astronaut missions to the ISS, showcasing the growing partnership between NASA and private space companies.
Despite the delay, the anticipation for the Crew Flight Test mission remains high as Boeing looks to demonstrate the capabilities of the Starliner capsule. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting development in space exploration.
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