After many years of delays and failures, Boeing Starliner capsule is finally approaching an important milestone: first manned flight. NASA has confirmed it will send two astronauts on a test flight to the International Space Station (ISS). If all goes well, Boeing will be able to apply for permission for routine spaceflight as planned in 2017.
The road to this point has been a rocky one for the American manufacturer. 10 years ago, NASA chose Boeing and SpaceX to develop a spacecraft that could carry astronauts to the ISS from the United States. The space agency sought to end dependence on Russia and awarded the two companies a million-dollar fixed-price contract.
Although SpaceX and its Crew Dragon capsule have already accumulated successful missions, Boeing failed to carry out a manned launch. Development of Starliner was delayed due to technical glitches and software problems resulting in cost overruns reached $1.5 billion..
“The first manned flight of the new spacecraft is an absolutely significant milestone. The lives of our crew are at stake,” said NASA Deputy Administrator Jim Free. selected astronauts for this flight they Butch Willmore and Sunita Williamsretired captain and former Navy test pilot.
Willmore has a record of 178 days in space since his first mission in 2009 and has logged more than 8,000 flight hours. On the other hand, Williams has spent 322 days in space across two missions since 2007 and has experience flying more than 30 different types of aircraft.
Starliner’s successful flight is critical to Boeing’s future
The successful Starliner mission is not only will validate Boeing’s engineering effortsbut would also provide NASA with critical reserve capacity for its human spaceflight program.
A failed unmanned aerial vehicle test flight in 2019 revealed serious problems that relations with NASA have become strained. Months later, Boeing avoided disaster by fixing a software glitch in the Starliner flight and preventing the loss of the space capsule.
The manufacturer did not give up and planned a test flight to the ISS in 2021. However, faulty service module valves caused another delay.
Despite past difficulties, Both Boeing and NASA are confident that Starliner is now ready. The next mission is scheduled for May 6, 2024will serve as the final demonstration before the spacecraft receives official certification to regularly carry astronauts.
Added to Starliner expenses: Boeing is under the radar of US authorities. The 737 MAX debacle marked the beginning of the end for the American manufacturer, which has faced crashes and lawsuits. A few weeks ago, a whistleblower who pointed out safety flaws on planes died under suspicious conditions before testifying in court. .
Source: Hiper Textual
