Boeing shifts Starliner’s maiden crewed spaceflight to March

Boeing stated on Monday that it plans to launch NASA astronauts using its Starliner capsule for the first time in March. This comes after the company postponed a planned launch this summer.

“Based on our current plans, we expect to have the spacecraft ready by early March,” stated Mark Nappi, Boeing VP and Starliner manager, during a press conference.

Nappi added, “This does not mean we have a launch date in early March. We are collaborating with NASA, the Commercial Crew program, International Space Station, and ULA to determine potential launch dates based on our readiness. We will continue to work throughout the next few weeks to find a suitable launch date.”

The company is working towards Starliner’s crew flight test, which will be the final demonstration before regular spaceflights with NASA astronauts aboard.

Boeing has experienced two launch delays this year due to issues with the spacecraft’s parachutes and a type of tape used in its assembly. Crewed flights are now expected to take place next year.

On Monday, representatives from NASA and Boeing announced that the replacement of the problematic tape is expected to be completed by the end of September. Additionally, a parachute drop test is scheduled for “mid-to-late” November. Nappi emphasized that the parachute work is crucial to being ready for the March launch.

NASA’s Commercial Crew manager, Steve Stich, shared that Starliner is 98% complete in terms of progress towards agency certification.

Regarding the timing of Boeing’s first operational flight, Stich stated it depends on the timing and outcome of the final test flight.

“It’s probably too early to say whether we can fit that flight into the end of next year,” Stich said.

Starliner remains a costly and delayed project for Boeing. The company has incurred approximately $1.5 billion in overrun costs due to delays and development issues.