Boeing delays first crewed spacecraft take a look at to mid-2019

This delay is no surprise. Final week, Boeing admitted to Ars Technica {that a} hot-fire take a look at of Starliner's abort engines led to a propellant leak. The corporate has to repair the difficulty and full a profitable launch pad abort take a look at earlier than it will possibly undertake a crewed take a look at of the automobile.

Whereas SpaceX is scheduled to carry out an uncrewed take a look at someday this month and a crewed take a look at in December, it's unlikely to have the ability to meet these dates. The corporate is working with NASA to iron out some persevering with points, but it surely's unsure how lengthy it'll take earlier than Crew Dragon is prepared for crewed testing.