CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Years of delays could finally be coming to an end for a new spaceship built to carry astronauts to the International Space Station.
Ten years ago, NASA gave SpaceX and Boeing billions of dollars to end America’s dependence on Russia to reach the space station.
While the Dragon has been launching crews since 2020, Starliner’s astronauts are still waiting for their flight.
During press conferences Friday, NASA said the troubled capsule could finally be ready to fly Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams as soon as May 1.
[EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos]
“We really only have a couple of areas to close out. That’s going really well,” Commercial Crew Program Manager Steve Stich said. “We are in a better position than I think we’ve ever been for any flight that I’ve been a part of in terms of closing out that certification.”
A Boeing representative was asked whether the company has grown frustrated with falling so far behind over the years.
Starliner Program Manager Mark Nappi said no.
“We cheer for SpaceX. That’s something that is very important to our country and very important to NASA to have that access,” Nappi said. “We’re looking forward to providing that as well, so I don’t call it frustrating at all. I think we would like to have been further along at this time. There’s no doubt about that, but we’re here now. And we’re prepared. And we’re ready to fly.”
Wilmore and Williams said they’re ready to fly, too.
The astronauts previously flew on the space shuttle and the Russian Soyuz.
“There are hundreds of wonderful, great passionate Americans passionate about human spaceflight at NASA, at Boeing, and at United Launch Alliance that are thrilled and excited that we are to the point of actually doing press conferences now,” Wilmore said.
Williams said the time during the delays has been used to better prepare for the launch.
“I feel like we’ve invested the time, checked all those boxes, crossed the t’s, dot the i’s, where we feel both ready and comfortable to go,” she said. “The spacecraft is ready to go, as well.”
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: