Summary
Boeing and NASA have decided that the next flight of Boeing's Starliner capsule will carry only cargo instead of astronauts to ensure safety. The decision was made after previous issues with the Starliner, and further tests are planned before it can resume carrying people to the International Space Station.
Key Facts
- Boeing's next Starliner flight will carry cargo instead of astronauts to ensure safety.
- The decision follows a previous problematic mission where astronauts had to return on SpaceX due to issues with the Starliner.
- Engineers are working to fix problems with the Starliner's thrusters and other systems.
- The upcoming cargo flight is scheduled for no earlier than April after more testing.
- NASA has reduced the planned number of Starliner flights from six to four.
- If the cargo flight is successful, the remaining flights will be used for crew exchanges by 2030.
- NASA contracted Boeing and SpaceX in 2014, with Boeing receiving $4.2 billion and SpaceX $2.6 billion.
- SpaceX launched its first crew mission for NASA in 2020 and has completed multiple successful missions since then.
