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Image: On June 13, 2024, Boeing’s “Starliner” spacecraft is seen docked at the International Space Station over the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in Egypt. NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Boeing announced on Friday that they are further extending the first manned flight of the “Starliner,” but the new target date for the spacecraft’s return to Earth has yet to be determined. Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, named “Calypso,” will remain at the International Space Station until next month, while the company and NASA conduct new tests on the ground. The crewed flight test by Boeing represents the first manned mission for the “Starliner,” carrying NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. Officials stated that the “Starliner” team is conducting tests on propulsion system technology in White Sands, New Mexico, which will be completed before the spacecraft returns to Earth. “We think it could be a few weeks of testing. We’re trying to replicate as much as we can on the ground,” said Steve Stich, Commercial Crew Program manager at NASA, during a press conference. Prior to the launch on June 5th, Boeing and NASA planned a nine-day spaceflight for the “Starliner.” As of Friday, the “Starliner” has been in flight for 24 days and counting. Despite the prolonged stay at the International Space Station, officials emphasized that the “Starliner” can safely return at any time in case of an emergency. NASA and Boeing stated that the delay in testing is merely to gather more data on the spacecraft’s performance, particularly its propulsion system. “I want to be very clear that Butch and Suni are not stranded in space,” Stich said. Register here to receive the weekly edition of CNBC’s “Investing in Space” newsletter. The crewed flight test for the Starliner is the final major milestone before NASA certifies Boeing’s crew for a six-month operational mission. However, similar to the previous two uncrewed spaceflights, the Starliner encountered several issues during the mission. The Starliner was once seen as a competitor to SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, which has made 12 manned trips to the International Space Station in the past four years. However, various setbacks and delays have steadily positioned the Starliner as NASA’s backup option, as the agency plans to alternate flights between SpaceX and Boeing. Watch the video 13:46: Boeing’s Starliner’s long and arduous journey to launch astronauts.
