Boeing and SpaceX Make Progress on Delayed Missions

Aerospace and Defense Review | Tuesday, October 15, 2019

After multiple delays and nuisances, Boeing and SpaceX were finally able to get back on track with their respective missions for unmanned flights to the International Space Station. For the U.S. government, the success of these private companies is even more critical than for the companies themselves, as it would finally end their dependence on the Russian Soyuz Capsule for launch.

Fremont, CA: As the deadline set by the Trump administration to relaunch Man on Moon comes closer, private companies have begun speeding up their tests and missions to keep the promises made to NASA and the U.S. government. After multiple delays and nuisances, Boeing and SpaceX were finally able to get back on track with their respective missions for unmanned flights to the International Space Station. For the U.S. government, the success of these private companies is even more critical than for the companies themselves, as it would finally end their dependence on the Russian Soyuz Capsule for launch.

Boeing's unpiloted CST - 100 Starliner Capsule has been scheduled for launch to the International Space Station on December 17, 2019. The mission, titled Orbital Flight Test (OFT), will see the Starliner Capsule launch from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on an Atlas V rocket and dock with the International Space Station for a week before making a parachute assisted landing at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. Earlier in July 2018, Boeing had reported an anomaly with one of the pad abort engines on the Starliner Capsule, putting it way behind schedule. The launch, which was then scheduled for March 2019, was delayed further due to a conflict of launch schedule with the Atlas V.

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Although NASA believes these delays have allowed more time for testing and safety reviews, the mission has been long overdue and is still behind schedule in comparison to the progress made by Elon Musk owned SpaceX. Before sending it on its first mission, Boeing will test the Starliner Capsule's in-flight abort system, scheduled for November 4, 2019. This test will determine the capsule's ability to return the astronauts to safety in the case of an emergency on the launch pad or during the spacecraft's ascent.

At the same time, SpaceX is also preparing for its first in-flight abort test of the Crew Dragon Spacecraft, commissioned by NASA to fly astronauts to and from the International Space Station. According to SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, the Crew Dragon Spacecraft should be ready for its in-flight abort test by late November or early December. Unlike Boeing's Starliner, which is yet to reach orbit, SpaceX has been successful in launching its Crew Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station on its first uncrewed mission earlier in March.

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