Boeing is laying out a timeline for its Starliner's future flight, and the company said it is targeting March of next year to be the time to finally carry on with the mission.
By March 2024, the company anticipated it would be ready with its first crewed flight contracted by NASA for missions towards the International Space Station (ISS).
The other half of the Commercial Crew was already fulfilled by SpaceX, with the company being solo on the ventures under the commercial contract by the space agency.
Boeing Starliner Is Taking Flight Next March
Boeing announced via a press conference on Monday that it is moving the flight of its Starliner mission to March 2024, delaying the company's planned launch this summer.
It comes after Boeing delayed the launch twice this year because of various issues. The company saw its entire first half of the year unable to deliver its claims of a test flight.
"Based on the current plans, we're anticipating that we're going to be ready with the spacecraft in early March," said Boeing VP and Starliner manager Mark Nappi.
"That does not mean we have a launch date in early March. We're now working with NASA - Commercial Crew program and [International Space Station] - and ULA on potential launch dates based on our readiness... we'll work throughout the next several weeks and see where we can get fit in and then we'll set a launch date," Nappi added.
Read Also : Boeing's Starliner Finally Docks to the International Space Station! Eight Years in the Making?
Boeing Starliner to be Ready by March 2024
For now, the public will have to wait for Boeing's next announcement regarding the exact date of the Starliner's crewed flight.
According to Engadget, the Starliner has been in development for almost 15 years now, first unveiled in 2010. It is Boeing's take on a reusable spacecraft to rival that of SpaceX's Dragon and Falcon.
Boeing Starliner and its Issues
For many years, the world and NASA have been waiting on the Boeing Starliner for its crewed launch of the spacecraft to bring astronauts to the ISS as part of its contract.
However, despite updating the flight manifest, the company still faces delays regarding the venture and has altogether scrapped the supposed crewed flight for this year.
Despite a successful docking to the ISS last year, there have been issues with the Starliner's operations for its crewed flight this year.
April and July's cancelation of the supposed flights for this year has already caused a lot for Boeing, with NASA and its astronauts still waiting for the launch vehicle.
With the commercial crew well underway and its other half already fulfilling said flights, Boeing is the only company and service now being awaited by the world to launch.
The recent announcement gives the public yet another cancelation of its entire 2023 calendar to make way for all the tweaks and changes, so hopefully, it could be ready by March 2024.
