The public-private space race is more alive than ever, and companies like SpaceX or Boeing know how. More as a company led by Elon Musk It triumphs at the heights, the company most known for its aircraft still fails to clear. What was expected Boeing's CST-100 Starliner's first crewed flight I have just suffered a new delay, as announced by itself POT.
According to information released, this time the addition is not due to problems with the spacecraft. In truth, it is related to scheduling problems with the International Space Station (ISS).
In this way, embora estivesse originally scheduled for Aprilthe launch is now expected to happen in Mayincreasing the expectation for this crew test voo (CFT).
Boeing fails to finish space race
A Starliner has several things ready for its launch. For example, the chosen astronauts will be Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, both from NASA.
It is also known that he will depart from the Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida, aboard a United Launch Alliance aircraft.
This is a miss that will include a trip to the ISS, where the astronauts will remain for about two weeks before returning to Terra in the same capsule, marking a historic moment for Boeing and for general manned space exploration.
However, during the Starliner journey you have to overcome several obstacles. It began in December 2019, when the desired orbit for the ISS was not reached, and now there is a second attempt in 2022, which, however, has managed to dock with the station, facing new challenges that will require more time to resolve and guarantee safety give ship before embarking the astronauts.
But now there are all the chips bet on the success of its launch extended to May. And now it is clear, NASA will be able to diversify its transportation methods for the ISS, which now only depends on SpaceX's Crew Dragon to do it.
However, on the contrary, two launches commanded by Musk's company, which will launch in the water to return, the Starliner is planned to launch on solid ground, offering a new alternative for the return of two astronauts.