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Three years behind SpaceX, 1st crew flight of Boeing’s Starliner delayed again

  • The Boeing CST-100 Starliner capsule topping a United Launch Alliance...

    Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel

    The Boeing CST-100 Starliner capsule topping a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket rolls out of the UAL Vertical Integration Building, headed for launch complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Wednesday, May 17, 2022. The unmanned mission is scheduled to lift off on a test flight to the International Space Station at 6:54 p.m on Thursday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

  • The Boeing CST-100 Starliner capsule topping a United Launch Alliance...

    Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel

    The Boeing CST-100 Starliner capsule topping a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket in position for launch at complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Wednesday, May 17, 2022. The unmanned mission is scheduled to lift off on a test flight to the International Space Station at 6:54 p.m on Thursday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

  • Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft rolls out from the company's Commercial...

    NASA/Glenn Benson/NASA/Glenn Benson

    Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft rolls out from the company's Commercial Crew and Cargo Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on May 4, 2022. The spacecraft will make the trip to the Vertical Integration Facility at Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station where it will be secured atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket for Boeing's second Orbital Flight Test (OFT-2) to the International Space Station for NASA's Commercial Crew Program.

  • The Boeing CST-100 Starliner for Orbital Flight Test-2 makes its...

    The Boeing CST-100 Starliner for Orbital Flight Test-2 makes its way to United Launch Alliance's Vertical Integration Facility on May 4, 2022 ahead of rollout to the launch pad at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

  • Photographers document the Boeing CST-100 Starliner capsule topping a United...

    Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel

    Photographers document the Boeing CST-100 Starliner capsule topping a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket rolling out of the UAL Vertical Integration Building, headed for launch complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Wednesday, May 17, 2022. The unmanned mission is scheduled to lift off on a test flight to the International Space Station at 6:54 p.m on Thursday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

  • The Boeing CST-100 Starliner for Orbital Flight Test-2 is lifted...

    The Boeing CST-100 Starliner for Orbital Flight Test-2 is lifted atop the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket at ULA's Vertical Integration Facility on May 4, 2022 ahead of rollout to the launch pad at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

  • NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore, left, and Mike Fincke answer questions...

    Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel

    NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore, left, and Mike Fincke answer questions during a press briefing at Kennedy Space Center, Wednesday, May 17, 2022, on the eve of the launch of the uncrewed Boeing CST-100 Starliner from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, scheduled for 6:54 p.m on Thursday. Wilmore and Fincke — on hand for Thursday's launch — could be on the first crewed flight of Starliner.

  • This rendering shows the Boeing CST-100 Starliner capsule designed to...

    Boeing

    This rendering shows the Boeing CST-100 Starliner capsule designed to ferry astronauts to and from the International Space Station.

  • The Boeing CST-100 Starliner for Orbital Flight Test-2 is lifted...

    The Boeing CST-100 Starliner for Orbital Flight Test-2 is lifted atop the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket at ULA's Vertical Integration Facility on May 4, 2022 ahead of rollout to the launch pad at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

  • In this June 2, 2021 photo made available by NASA,...

    AP

    In this June 2, 2021 photo made available by NASA, technicians prepare Boeing's CST-100 Starliner for the company's Orbital Flight Test-2 (OFT-2) in the Commercial Crew and Cargo Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. On Friday, Aug. 13, 2021, Boeing and NASA officials said the capsule is grounded for months and possibly even until next year because of a vexing valve problem. (NASA via AP)

  • Photographers document the Boeing CST-100 Starliner capsule topping a United...

    Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel

    Photographers document the Boeing CST-100 Starliner capsule topping a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket rolling out of the UAL Vertical Integration Building, headed for launch complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Wednesday, May 17, 2022. The unmanned mission is scheduled to lift off on a test flight to the International Space Station at 6:54 p.m on Thursday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

  • The Boeing CST-100 Starliner for Orbital Flight Test-2 is lifted...

    The Boeing CST-100 Starliner for Orbital Flight Test-2 is lifted atop the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket at ULA's Vertical Integration Facility on May 4, 2022 ahead of rollout to the launch pad at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

  • Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft passes by the iconic Vehicle Assembly...

    NASA/Glenn Benson/NASA/Glenn Benson

    Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft passes by the iconic Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on May 4, 2022, making its way to the Space Launch Complex-41 Vertical Integration Facility at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. At the pad, Starliner will be secured atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket in preparation for Boeing's second Orbital Flight Test (OFT-2) to the International Space Station for NASA's Commercial Crew Program.

  • The Boeing CST-100 Starliner launches from Cape Canaveral Space Force...

    Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel

    The Boeing CST-100 Starliner launches from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, at 6:54 p.m on Thursday, May 19, 2022, as seen from Kennedy Space Center.

  • In this image provided by NASA, a United Launch Alliance...

    NASA/Aubrey Gemignani/AP

    In this image provided by NASA, a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft onboard sits at Space Launch Complex 41, Thursday, July 29, 2021 at Cape Canaveral, Fla. in Florida. Boeing's Orbital Flight Test-2, scheduled for Friday, July 30, will be Starliner's second uncrewed flight test and will dock to the International Space Station as part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program. (Aubrey Gemignani/NASA via AP)

  • The Boeing CST-100 Starliner capsule topping a United Launch Alliance...

    Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel

    The Boeing CST-100 Starliner capsule topping a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket rolls out of the UAL Vertical Integration Building, headed for launch complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Wednesday, May 17, 2022. The unmanned mission is scheduled to lift off on a test flight to the International Space Station at 6:54 p.m on Thursday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

  • The Boeing CST-100 Starliner capsule topping a United Launch Alliance...

    Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel

    The Boeing CST-100 Starliner capsule topping a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket arrives at launch complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Wednesday, May 17, 2022. The unmanned mission is scheduled to lift off on a test flight to the International Space Station at 6:54 p.m on Thursday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

  • The Boeing CST-100 Starliner spacecraft is secured atop a United...

    Boeing/Boeing

    The Boeing CST-100 Starliner spacecraft is secured atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket at the Vertical Integration Facility at Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on July 17, 2021. Starliner will launch on the Atlas V for Boeing's second Orbital Flight Test (OFT-2) for NASA's Commercial Crew Program. The spacecraft rolled out from Boeing's Commercial Crew and Cargo Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center earlier in the day.

  • The Boeing CST-100 Starliner capsule topping a United Launch Alliance...

    Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel

    The Boeing CST-100 Starliner capsule topping a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket in position for launch at complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Wednesday, May 17, 2022. The unmanned mission is scheduled to lift off on a test flight to the International Space Station at 6:54 p.m on Thursday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

  • The Boeing CST-100 Starliner capsule topping a United Launch Alliance...

    Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel

    The Boeing CST-100 Starliner capsule topping a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket rolls toward launch complex 41, right, at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Wednesday, May 17, 2022. The unmanned mission is scheduled to lift off on a test flight to the International Space Station at 6:54 p.m on Thursday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

  • FILE - A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with...

    NASA/Joel Kowsky/AP

    FILE - A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft is rolled out of the Vertical Integration Facility to the launch pad at Space Launch Complex 41 ahead of the Orbital Flight Test-2 (OFT-2) mission, Wednesday, May 18, 2022 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. On Thursday, Aug. 25, 2022, officials announced Boeing's first spaceflight with astronauts has been delayed until 2022 because of repairs that need to be made to the capsule following its last test flight. (Joel Kowsky/NASA via AP, File)

  • Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft sits atop a United Launch Alliance...

    John Raoux/AP

    Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft sits atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket, on Space Launch Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station ready for the second un-piloted test flight to the International Space Station, Thursday, July 29, 2021, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. The launch is scheduled for Friday afternoon. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

  • The Boeing CST-100 Starliner capsule topping a United Launch Alliance...

    Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel

    The Boeing CST-100 Starliner capsule topping a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket rolls toward launch complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Wednesday, May 17, 2022. The unmanned mission is scheduled to lift off on a test flight to the International Space Station at 6:54 p.m on Thursday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

  • The Boeing CST-100 Starliner for Orbital Flight Test-2 is lifted...

    The Boeing CST-100 Starliner for Orbital Flight Test-2 is lifted atop the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket at ULA's Vertical Integration Facility on May 4, 2022 ahead of rollout to the launch pad at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

  • The Boeing CST-100 Starliner launches from Cape Canaveral Space Force...

    Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel

    The Boeing CST-100 Starliner launches from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, at 6:54 p.m on Thursday, May 19, as seen from Kennedy Space Center.

  • In this image provided by NASA, a United Launch Alliance...

    NASA/Joel Kowsky/AP

    In this image provided by NASA, a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft onboard is rolled out of the Vertical Integration Facility to the launch pad at Space Launch Complex 41, Thursday, July 29, 2021 at Cape Canaveral, Fla. in Florida. Boeing's Orbital Flight Test-2, scheduled for Friday, July 30, will be Starliner's second uncrewed flight test and will dock to the International Space Station as part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program. (Joel Kowsky/NASA via AP)

  • Crews gently lift the Boeing CST-100 Starliner spacecraft from its...

    United Launch Alliance

    Crews gently lift the Boeing CST-100 Starliner spacecraft from its ground transportation to place it atop the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket for OFT-2 in collaboration with NASA's Commercial Crew Program.

  • The Boeing CST-100 Starliner launches from Cape Canaveral Space Force...

    Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel

    The Boeing CST-100 Starliner launches from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, at 6:54 p.m on Thursday, May 19, 2022, as seen from Kennedy Space Center. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

  • Photographers at nearby Kennedy Space Center document the launch,of the...

    Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel

    Photographers at nearby Kennedy Space Center document the launch,of the Boeing CST-100 Starliner as it lifts off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 6:54 p.m on Thursday, May 19.

  • On July 29, 2021, Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft and the...

    NASA/Kim Shiflett/NASA/Kim Shiflett

    On July 29, 2021, Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft and the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket rolled out of the Vertical Integration Facility to the launch pad at Space Launch Complex-41 on Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Starliner will launch on the Atlas V for Boeing's second uncrewed Orbital Flight Test (OFT-2) for NASA's Commercial Crew Program.

  • The Boeing CST-100 Starliner capsule topping a United Launch Alliance...

    Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel

    The Boeing CST-100 Starliner capsule topping a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket rolls into launch complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Wednesday, May 17, 2022. The unmanned mission is scheduled to lift off on a test flight to the International Space Station at 6:54 p.m on Thursday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

  • The Boeing CST-100 Starliner launches from Cape Canaveral Space Force...

    Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel

    The Boeing CST-100 Starliner launches from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, at 6:54 p.m on Thursday, May 19, 2022, as seen from Kennedy Space Center. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

  • Photographers document the Boeing CST-100 Starliner capsule topping a United...

    Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel

    Photographers document the Boeing CST-100 Starliner capsule topping a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket rolling out of the UAL Vertical Integration Building, headed for launch complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Wednesday, May 17, 2022. The unmanned mission is scheduled to lift off on a test flight to the International Space Station at 6:54 p.m on Thursday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

  • The Boeing CST-100 Starliner capsule topping a United Launch Alliance...

    Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel

    The Boeing CST-100 Starliner capsule topping a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket rolls out of the UAL Vertical Integration Building, headed for launch complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Wednesday, May 17, 2022. The unmanned mission is scheduled to lift off on a test flight to the International Space Station at 6:54 p.m on Thursday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

  • A new service module was mated to a Boeing CST-100...

    Boeing

    A new service module was mated to a Boeing CST-100 Starliner crew module to form a complete spacecraft on March 12, 2022, in Boeing's Commercial Crew and Cargo Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

  • The moment of ignition on United Launch Alliance's Atlas V...

    Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel

    The moment of ignition on United Launch Alliance's Atlas V rocket creates a dramatic explosion of steam, mud and debris during liftoff of the Boeing CST-100 Starliner as it launches from complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, at 6:54 p.m on Thursday, May 19, 2022. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

  • The moment of ignition on United Launch Alliance's Atlas V...

    Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel

    The moment of ignition on United Launch Alliance's Atlas V rocket creates a dramatic explosion of steam, mud and debris during liftoff of the Boeing CST-100 Starliner as it launches from complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, at 6:54 p.m on Thursday, May 19, 2022. The image was captured with a remote, sound-activated camera on the edge of the "fire trench" at the ULA launch pad at CCSFS. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

  • The Boeing CST-100 Starliner capsule topping a United Launch Alliance...

    Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel

    The Boeing CST-100 Starliner capsule topping a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket in position for launch at complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Wednesday, May 17, 2022. The unmanned mission is scheduled to lift off on a test flight to the International Space Station at 6:54 p.m on Thursday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

  • A United Launch Alliance Atlas V booster is offloaded from...

    United Launch Alliance

    A United Launch Alliance Atlas V booster is offloaded from NASA's Pegasus barge and hauled to the Atlas Spaceflight Operations Center for the launch of Boeing's Starliner CST-100 spacecraft on the OFT-2 mission for NASA's Commercial Crew Program. The mission will launch from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

  • Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft rolls out from the company's Commercial...

    NASA/Ben Smegelsky/NASA/Ben Smegelsky

    Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft rolls out from the company's Commercial Crew and Cargo Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on May 4, 2022. The spacecraft will make the trip to the Vertical Integration Facility at Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station where it will be secured atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket for Boeing's second Orbital Flight Test (OFT-2) to the International Space Station for NASA's Commercial Crew Program.

  • The Boeing CST-100 Starliner launches from the United Launch Alliance...

    Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel

    The Boeing CST-100 Starliner launches from the United Launch Alliance complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, at 6:54 p.m on Thursday, May 19, 2022.

  • The Boeing CST-100 Starliner for Orbital Flight Test-2 is lifted...

    The Boeing CST-100 Starliner for Orbital Flight Test-2 is lifted atop the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket at ULA's Vertical Integration Facility on May 4, 2022 ahead of rollout to the launch pad at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

  • The Boeing CST-100 Starliner capsule topping a United Launch Alliance...

    Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel

    The Boeing CST-100 Starliner capsule topping a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket rolls toward launch complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Wednesday, May 17, 2022. The unmanned mission is scheduled to lift off on a test flight to the International Space Station at 6:54 p.m on Thursday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

  • Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft rolls out from the company's Commercial...

    NASA/Ben Smegelsky/NASA/Ben Smegelsky

    Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft rolls out from the company's Commercial Crew and Cargo Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on May 4, 2022. The spacecraft will make the trip to the Vertical Integration Facility at Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station where it will be secured atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket for Boeing's second Orbital Flight Test (OFT-2) to the International Space Station for NASA's Commercial Crew Program.

  • In this image provided by NASA, a United Launch Alliance...

    NASA/Aubrey Gemignani/AP

    In this image provided by NASA, a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft onboard sits at Space Launch Complex 41, Thursday, July 29, 2021 at Cape Canaveral, Fla. in Florida. Boeing's Orbital Flight Test-2, scheduled for early Friday, July 30, will be Starliner's second uncrewed flight test and will dock to the International Space Station as part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program. (Aubrey Gemignani/NASA via AP)

  • The Boeing CST-100 Starliner launches from Cape Canaveral Space Force...

    Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel

    The Boeing CST-100 Starliner launches from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, at 6:54 p.m on Thursday, May 19, 2022, as seen from Kennedy Space Center. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

  • A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with Boeing's CST-100...

    NASA/Joel Kowsky/AP

    A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft aboard stands on the launch pad ahead of the Orbital Flight Test-2 mission, Monday, Aug. 2, 2021 at Cape Canaveral, Fla. Starliner, without a crew, is expected dock with the International Space Station as part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program. (Joel Kowsky/NASA via AP)

  • The Boeing CST-100 Starliner capsule topping a United Launch Alliance...

    Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel

    The Boeing CST-100 Starliner capsule topping a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket arrives at launch complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Wednesday, May 17, 2022. The unmanned mission is scheduled to lift off on a test flight to the International Space Station at 6:54 p.m on Thursday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

  • The Boeing CST-100 Starliner capsule topping a United Launch Alliance...

    Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel

    The Boeing CST-100 Starliner capsule topping a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket rolls out of the UAL Vertical Integration Building, headed for launch complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Wednesday, May 17, 2022. The unmanned mission is scheduled to lift off on a test flight to the International Space Station at 6:54 p.m on Thursday. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

  • The Boeing CST-100 Starliner for the Orbital Flight Test-2 launch...

    United Launch Alliance

    The Boeing CST-100 Starliner for the Orbital Flight Test-2 launch is set to be lifted atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket at the ULA Vertical Integration Facility at Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Wednesday, May 4, 2022 ahead of a planned May 19 launch to the International Space Station.

  • "Rosie the Rocketeer" is installed on her seat on the...

    Boeing/John Proferes/Boeing/John Proferes

    "Rosie the Rocketeer" is installed on her seat on the Boeing CST-100 Starliner set to launch from Cape Canaveral on the second uncrewed Orbital Flight Test to the International Space Station.

  • The Boeing CST-100 Starliner launches from the United Launch Alliance...

    Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel

    The Boeing CST-100 Starliner launches from the United Launch Alliance complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, at 6:54 p.m on Thursday, May 19, 2022.

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Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel staff portrait in Orlando, Fla., Tuesday, July 19, 2022. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)
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NASA officials said there’s nothing wrong with the parachutes on the Boeing CST-100 Starliner awaiting its first flight ever with humans on board, but they want to make sure, so once again, the anticipated mission to the International Space Station has been delayed.

The Crew Flight Test (CFT) to bring NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams to the station is part of the effort to complete Boeing’s game of catchup to fellow Commercial Crew Program provider SpaceX.

CFT has been aiming for mid- to late-April, but is now pushing to no earlier than July 21.

“We take a hard look at the parachute system,” said NASA Commercial Crew Program manager Steve Stich noting the need to go over more than 20 parachute tests that have been performed on the Starliner program to date including flights. “At this time, there’s really no issues or concerns with the parachute system. Those parachutes are installed in the vehicle. They’re in good shape. It’s just a matter of going through all that data and looking at the data and making sure we’re really ready to go fly safely.”

Since that review won’t be complete until May, and the ISS has a busy spate of spacecraft visits already on the books through June, NASA opted to shoot for the July launch date. It also looks to get Starliner to the station before the next SpaceX crew rotation mission planned for mid-August when Crew-7 replaces Crew-6.

Launching atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station will still require NASA and Boeing to thread the needle, as even the July timeframe conflicts with a planned ULA launch of a Department of Defense mission from the same launch pad plus that same launch pad will be needed for its upcoming Vulcan Centaur flight that is seeing its own potential delays.

Despite the need to go over the the parachute data as well as perform one more parachute-related test, Stich said both the Starliner and Atlas V rocket for the mission are in good shape with most of the remaining prelaunch work set to be complete in April.

But the flight, since it’s carrying people, has to get an interim human rating from NASA.

“It is a large amount of work which has been going on for well over a year,” Stich said. “If I just step back and look at how much work goes into that, there’s 600 components that have to be qualified on the Starliner for NASA and Boeing to review jointly, over 70 hazard reports and then a total of what we call 370 verifications. Some of those are very detailed.”

Issues with the first uncrewed flight of Starliner that was not able to rendezvous with the ISS in December 2019 that NASA dubbed a “high visibility close call” forced a major overhaul of the program including hardware, software and management practices from both Boeing and NASA oversight.

The reflight of that uncrewed Starliner wasn’t completed until May 2022. Now the delay puts Boeing more than three years behind SpaceX, which has been flying astronauts on its Crew Dragon spacecraft since May 2020 and is currently in the midst of its sixth rotational flight. NASA’s plans were to have Boeing and SpaceX handle one flight each per year, but so far all the work has fallen to SpaceX.

“We we know that what we’re doing is extremely important launching humans in space and providing NASA with the second provider,” said Mark Nappi who heads up Boeing’s Starliner program. “So we’ll take our time and we’ll make sure that everybody’s confident with the work that’s been done.”

The program allowed NASA to stop its reliance on Russia for taxi service to the ISS after the end of the Space Shuttle Program in 2011. The two continue to trade seats, though, with Roscosmos cosmonauts flying on each of the last two SpaceX flights and NASA astronauts continuing to be a part of the three-person crews of the Soyuz rotation launches to the station.

The last Soyuz spacecraft to carry its trio, though, suffered a coolant leak, which forced Roscosmos to send it back home minus passengers this week, during which temperatures higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit were reported on board.

A replacement Soyuz arrived in February, but won’t bring its crew home until at least September, meaning they will have spent more than a year on board the station. That includes NASA astronaut Frank Rubio who will have set a new American record at more than 371 days in space by the time he gets back to Earth.

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