Boeing's next Starliner test flight moves to first half of 2022

J. Fingas@jonfingasOctober 9th, 2021In this report: Starliner, information, gear, NASA, spaceflight, CST-100, house, BoeingREUTERS/Joe Skipper

People murmurs of prolonged delays for Boeing’s subsequent Starliner check flight turned out to be genuine. Space.com reports Boeing and NASA are now focusing on an Orbital Flight Check-2 start sometime in the to start with 50 percent of 2022. Engineers have narrowed down the likely leads to of the oxidizer isolation valve trouble that forced the staff to scrap the August 2021 launch, but it remains a “complex issue” that involves a “methodical approach” to address, according to Industrial Crew Program supervisor Steve Stich.

Boeing has many attainable methods in the will work, ranging from small tweaks to the present crew capsule as a result of to modifying a capsule nonetheless in generation. The exact start timing hinges on both equally the readiness of the hardware itself as properly as the rocket manifest and accessibility to the Intercontinental Place Station.

When this does propose Starliner is going ahead, the hold off further more hurts Boeing’s prospects to contend with SpaceX in crewed capsule missions. SpaceX has currently despatched two crewed missions to the ISS, and it might have despatched two additional by the time the Starliner OFT-2 mission lifts off — Elon Musk’s outfit will be a seasoned veteran prior to Boeing is cleared for its very first occupied Starliner flight. It could be a extensive although in advance of the two companies are having turns ferrying individuals to orbit.

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