Boeing’s highly anticipated first crewed mission of the Starliner capsule has faced yet another setback, delaying its launch to the International Space Station (ISS) once again. Originally scheduled for mid-April, the mission, known as Crew Flight Test (CFT), has been rescheduled to early May due to space station scheduling conflicts. The announcement came jointly from NASA and Boeing on Friday, March 8.
The Crew Flight Test will see the Starliner capsule, along with NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, launch atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Florida’s Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The mission is expected to last approximately 10 days, during which the crew will conduct various tests and experiments onboard the ISS.
This mission has been plagued by delays since its initial schedule for launch in July of last year. Technical issues, including problems with the suspension lines on Starliner’s main parachutes and the presence of flammable tape on the capsule’s wiring, have been the primary causes of these delays. However, NASA assured the public in a late January update that these issues were under control and that CFT was still on track for a mid-April launch.
Unfortunately, as Friday’s news indicates, scheduling conflicts related to ISS traffic can also impact mission timelines. Despite Boeing’s efforts to address the technical challenges, unforeseen circumstances have once again forced a delay in the Starliner’s first crewed mission.
Boeing has been working on the development of the Starliner capsule under a multibillion-dollar contract signed with NASA in September 2014. The capsule has already completed two uncrewed test flights, both aimed at reaching the ISS. The first mission, which took place in December 2019, encountered several problems and failed to rendezvous with the orbiting laboratory as planned. However, the second test flight in May 2022 was successful, giving Boeing hope for a smooth transition into crewed missions.
In comparison, SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, also received a commercial crew contract from NASA in September 2014. The company has already completed eight operational astronaut missions to the ISS for NASA, with the most recent one, Crew-8, launching on Sunday, March 3. SpaceX’s success in delivering astronauts to the ISS highlights the importance of timely and reliable transportation options for NASA’s crewed missions.
While the delay of Boeing’s first crewed Starliner mission is undoubtedly disappointing for both the company and space enthusiasts, it is crucial to prioritize safety and ensure that all technical issues are thoroughly addressed before proceeding with the launch. NASA and Boeing will continue to work together to finalize the preparations for CFT, aiming for a successful mission in early May.
