Raumfahrt: Krisengeplagter Starliner soll wieder ins All fliegen
Rund eine Woche sollten zwei US-Astronauten 2024 an Bord der ISS bleiben - daraus wurden wegen einer Panne des „Starliner“-Raumschiffs neun Monate. Doch die Nasa hält am „Starliner“ fest.
The troubled spacecraft "Starliner" is set to return to space, according to plans from the US space agency NASA, with a possible launch in 2028 for astronauts headed to the International Space Station (ISS). However, an unmanned test mission of the Boeing-developed and built spacecraft could take place this year or early 2027, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman announced during a press conference.
Isaacman explained that NASA has been working closely with Boeing to address the issues identified in previous Starliner flights and aims to resume missions to the ISS and future commercial destinations using this spacecraft.
The "Starliner" has a long history marred by crises, with numerous setbacks and delays in the project. Bemanmed test flights were repeatedly postponed due to technical issues with the spacecraft and rocket. In 2024, NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Barry Wilmore did manage to fly to the ISS aboard the "Starliner," but stayed for only about a week due to technical problems with the spacecraft.
NASA deemed this incident a "Type-A occurrence, the highest category of occurrence for the space agency," after the crew was later returned to Earth safely after nine months on account of further technical issues. NASA has long insisted that having at least two options for manned flights into space is a goal, currently primarily relying on SpaceX's Falcon rockets and Dragon spacecraft for missions.
However, SpaceX might retire these systems in a few years if its upcoming Starship proves capable of routine manned flights.
Written by urgent.news from Handelsblatt's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
