Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft is officially on its way to the International Space Station, marking a historic first for the long-delayed astronaut transportation program.
If all goes to plan, Boeing will become NASA’s second astronaut transportation provider, joining Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
Boeing did execute a successful uncrewed mission to the ISS in May 2022, but this is the first time the spacecraft has carried humans.
While Boeing has struggled, SpaceX has soared: Using its Crew Dragon capsule, SpaceX has been providing astronaut transportation to and from the ISS since 2020.
This is the last major step before Starliner can be certified as an operational crew system, and the first Starliner mission is expected to launch in 2025.
Boeing CEO to leave company by year-end, after a wave of safety incidentsBoeing’s chief executive Dave Calhoun will leave the plane-maker by the end of 2024, according to the company.
Boeing operates an innovation acceleration programme aimed at startup’s called Aerospace Xelerated, formerly known as the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI).
It is also surrounding by a large ecosystem of aerospace startups that engage with the company.
TechCrunch has reached out to Aerospace Xelerated for comment.
In a company statement, Calhoun said he planned to “complete the critical work underway to stabilize and position the company for the future” over the coming months.
After years of delays, Boeing’s muchanticipated Starliner capsule is finally making progress – but it appears that the first crewed flight test may now be pushed back yet again. Officials…
