NASA: In April 2023 the first manned Starliner mission

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The mission was scheduled for February, when it would carry astronauts to the ISS

Will be delayed the first manned Starliner space mission — was expected in February, but according to the new estimates it will take place on April 2023 — as Boeing works with NASA to resolve persistent technical problems from the last uncrewed test flight, the US space agency announced today.

The long-awaited Starliner mission to carry astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) is the final step before the craft is certified for further missions and will mark a pivotal moment for Boeing’s space division as it struggles to compete with Elon Musk’s SpaceX.

Boeing’s Starliner capsule successfully completes first uncrewed test mission in ISS last May, after a failed attempt (2019) due to software problems and technical failures.

Boeing and NASA “are working on a number of verification issues on critical systems that will be used to certify the manned Starliner mission,” the US space agency said.

Scrutinizing the Starliner capsule’s software and parachutes are the two most time-consuming issues for NASA and Boeing to complete ahead of the manned test mission, NASA Commercial Space Flight Administrator Phil McAllister said Monday.

Boeing developed the Starliner under a $4.2 billion contract with NASA, which calls for six missions. The US space agency has entered into a similar contract with the SpaceXwhose Crew Dragon capsule has been used on six manned missions on behalf of NASA since 2020.

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