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| Science & Technology |
| Boeing will repeat test flight of its astronaut capsule before flying with crew |
| 2020-04-07 |
| [Orlando Sentinel] After a failed December test flight of its astronaut capsule revealed multiple deep-seated problems within Boeing’s testing procedures, the company has decided to repeat the test before putting astronauts on board. That puts SpaceX, the other private company building an astronaut-rated spacecraft for NASA, on a clear track to become the first to launch American astronauts from U.S. soil since 2011. SpaceX is scheduled to perform its crewed test mission as early as next month. Boeing’s second unpiloted dress rehearsal may not come until later this year. The decision to repeat the test came following an independent review that issued 61 corrective actions to both Boeing and NASA after the Dec. 20 test flight ended prematurely and revealed multiple flaws within Boeing’s system and NASA’s oversight. Boeing then proposed to NASA that it re-do its test, a proposition NASA announced Monday evening it had accepted. The company had the option to propose moving ahead with a mission carrying crew. "The second uncrewed flight does not relieve Boeing from completing all the actions determined from the joint NASA/Boeing independent review team," NASA said in a statement. "NASA still intends to conduct the needed oversight to make sure those corrective actions are taken." |
| Posted by:M. Murcek |