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☆ FAA approves SpaceX to resume Falcon 9 rocket launches after two-week hiatus
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-26 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The Federal Aviation Administration has approved SpaceX to resume flights of its mainstay Falcon 9 rocket after a brief grounding, with Elon Musk's company planning to launch its next mission carrying satellites as soon as Saturday. The FAA clearance came just 15 days after the rocket suffered a rare inflight failure while in orbit during a launch of Starlink satellites. During the July 11 launch, the rocket's lower first stage, or booster — powered by nine engines — operated as expected before returning to land. A loose clamp for that tube and the intense vibration of the rocket's engine led to cracking, the company said. That cracked sense line resulted in a leak of liquid oxygen, causing damage to the rocket's engine when it attempted to restart in space.

Persons: Elon Organizations: Federal Aviation Administration, SpaceX, Falcon, FAA, CNBC

☆ Boeing's crewed Starliner flight won't return until at least August, NASA says
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-25 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Boeing's crew spacecraft Starliner will stay docked with the International Space Station into August, NASA confirmed on Thursday, as the mission remains on hold while the company and agency study problems that arose early in the flight. Starliner capsule "Calypso," which carried NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to the ISS, has now been in space 50 days and counting. NASA needs to conduct a review that won't happen until the first week of August, Stich said, and only after that review will the agency schedule Starliner's return. Currently, the organizations are analyzing the thruster that was tested in White Sands and this weekend expect to have the Starliner capsule conduct test firings while docked with the ISS. Stich acknowledged again that NASA has contingency plans in case the agency determines that Starliner should return without Wilmore and Williams — alternatives that include using SpaceX's Dragon capsule to bring back NASA's astronauts.

Persons: Butch Wilmore, Suni Williams, Steve Stich, we're, " Stich, Stich, Williams Organizations: International, Station, NASA, Boeing Locations: White Sands , New Mexico, White Sands

☆ SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket suffers rare inflight failure, is grounded during investigation
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-12 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

SpaceX's Falcon 9 is pictured launching satellites to orbit in space after it lifted off from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, U.S., in this screenshot obtained from a handout video released on July 12, 2024. SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket is grounded, pending an incident investigation, after an inflight failure — a rare misfire for the company's workhorse vehicle. The mission, known as "Starlink Group 9-3," launched from California's Vandenberg Space Force Base on Thursday evening and was carrying 20 satellites bound for low Earth orbit. But the rocket's upper second stage failed to reignite its engine as planned and was destroyed, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk confirmed. Falcon 9 is grounded until the Federal Aviation Administration signs off on SpaceX's investigation of the incident, the federal regulator confirmed.

Persons: SpaceX's, Elon Musk, Musk Organizations: Vandenberg Space Force, California's Vandenberg Space Force Base, SpaceX, Federal Aviation Administration, FAA, CNBC Locations: California, U.S

☆ NASA still expects Boeing's Starliner to return astronauts from ISS, but notes SpaceX backup option
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-10 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

With NASA astronauts docked at the International Space Station far longer than planned, the agency's leadership on Wednesday acknowledged potential alternatives to Boeing's Starliner for returning the crew to Earth. Still, the Boeing's spacecraft remains the primary option for returning crew, officials said. Starliner has now been in space 36 days and counting as the agency and Boeing perform additional testing in New Mexico before clearing the spacecraft to return. The mission is the first time Starliner is carrying people, flying NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. "[But] there's really been no discussion with sending another Dragon to rescue the Starliner crew," Stich added later.

Persons: Butch Wilmore, Suni Williams, Neil A, Starliner, Steve Stich, Butch, Suni, Stich –, Stich, " Stich Organizations: NASA, Boeing, Armstrong Operations, Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral Space Force, SpaceX Locations: Florida, New Mexico, Starliner

This photograph shows the takeoff of the European Space Agency satellite launcher Ariane 6 rocket from its launch pad, at the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana, on July 9, 2024. Jody Amiet | AFP | Getty ImagesThe powerful European-built Ariane 6 rocket made its long-awaited liftoff on Tuesday as the region returned to a launch market dominated by Elon Musk's SpaceX. The rocket is a combined effort of about $4.5 billion overseen by the European Space Agency, or ESA, and built by ArianeGroup, an Airbus and Safran joint venture. Delayed debutThe European Space Agency satellite launcher Ariane 6 rocket is seen prior to its maiden launch at the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana, on July 9, 2024. The European Space Agency satellite launcher Ariane 6 rocket moves to the launch pad prior to its liftoff at the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana, on July 9, 2024.

Persons: Jody Amiet, Elon Musk's, Safran Organizations: European Space Agency, Guiana Space, AFP, Getty, Elon, Elon Musk's SpaceX, ESA, Airbus, Afp, Soyuz, SpaceX Locations: Kourou, French Guiana, Ukraine, Russia, Europe

☆ Space station startup Gravitics lands $125 million order from Axiom
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-09 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Washington-based startup Gravitics has signed a $125 million contract to expand Axiom Space's planned space station, the latest deal in the burgeoning private market for orbiting habitats. Axiom is one of several companies building private space stations as NASA plans for the International Space Station to end its time in orbit. Already, Axiom has modules of its space station being built by Italian aerospace contractor Thales Alenia. The space station modules Gravitics is designing range from 3 meters (9 feet) to 8 meters (26 feet) in diameter. Axiom was the first to win a NASA contract for building space station modules, and Gravitics would connect its spacecraft later this decade.

Persons: Colin Doughan, Gravitics, Glenn, Doughan Organizations: CNBC, NASA, International, Thales Alenia Locations: Washington, Seattle

☆ Investing in Space: Why military contracts are crucial for space companies
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-03 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

CNBC's Investing in Space newsletter offers a view into the business of space exploration and privatization, delivered straight to your inbox. The first orbital rockets, satellites, and even the Apollo architecture were born of the military and its aerospace contractors. Historically, the biggest defense contractors have long been the winners of the largest space contracts – and that's still true today. The top pure-play space companies get a significant, if not majority, amount of revenue from military work under contracts from the U.S. and its allies. And the importance of military contracts is also going further upstream, as venture capital looks more explicitly toward startups that are winning and delivering on early military deals.

Persons: CNBC's Michael Sheetz, I'm, Peter Beck, Beck Organizations: Pentagon, U.S . Space Force, NASA, SpaceX, Space Force, NRO Locations: U.S, Ukraine, China, Taiwan

☆ Boeing delays Starliner return by 'weeks' for testing, NASA says astronauts aren't stranded
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-28 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Boeing's crew flight test represents the first time Starliner is carrying people, flying NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. Before launching on June 5, Boeing and NASA planned for Starliner to be in space for nine days. As of Friday, the Starliner flight has tallied 24 days and counting. NASA and Boeing say the delay for testing is solely to gather more data about the spacecraft's performance, in particular its thruster system. The Starliner crew flight test represents a final major step before NASA certifies Boeing to fly crew on operational, six-month missions.

Persons: Boeing's, Butch Wilmore, Suni Williams, Starliner, Steve Stich, Suni, Stich Organizations: International Space, NASA, Boeing Locations: White Sands , New Mexico

☆ Investing in Space: Why ULA needs to launch its second Vulcan rocket as soon as possible
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-27 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

CNBC's Investing in Space newsletter offers a view into the business of space exploration and privatization, delivered straight to your inbox. A great example of that from this week is United Launch Alliance's Cert-2 mission. Enter the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program. Well, the Pentagon's already bought a whole bunch of Vulcan launches and expects two of those missions – USSF-106 and USSF-87 – to fly before the end of the year. That was back when Blue Origin had a BE-4 engine explode during acceptance testing — an engine that was intended for the Cert-2 launch.

Persons: CNBC's Michael Sheetz, Tory Bruno, ULA, ULA's, Bruno, Tom Vice, Frank Calvelli, Lockheed Martin, Jeff Bezos, I'm Organizations: Cert, Pentagon, National Security, SpaceX, Space Force, Force, Sierra Space's, USSF, Air Force, Boeing, Lockheed, Vulcan, BE, V Locations: ULA

☆ SpaceX is building a NASA craft to intentionally destroy the International Space Station after retiring
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-26 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A satellite image shows an overview of the International Space Station with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft, June 7, 2024. NASA will have a spacecraft from Elon Musk's SpaceX guide the International Space Station's destruction later this decade, the agency announced Wednesday. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded an $843 million contract to SpaceX to build the so-called "U.S. Deorbit Vehicle." The spacecraft will be designed to guide the football-field-sized research laboratory back into the Earth's atmosphere after retiring in 2030. "It is crucial to prepare for the safe and responsible deorbit of the International Space Station in a controlled manner," NASA said in a press release, with the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle needed to "ensure avoidance of risk to populated areas."

Organizations: International, Boeing, NASA, Elon, SpaceX, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Deorbit, International Space, U.S . Deorbit

☆ SpaceX unveils backpack-sized 'Starlink Mini' satellite internet antenna for $599
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-20 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The company is offering a "limited number" of the Starlink Mini antennas for $599 each in an early access release. SpaceX is rolling out a compact version of its Starlink antennas called "Mini," which the company is advertising as a mobile option for its satellite internet customers. The Starlink Mini antenna is about the size and weight of a laptop, at just over 2 pounds and measuring at about 12 inches by 10 inches by 1.5 inches. The email did not specify when Starlink Mini deliveries would begin. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk wrote in a post Monday that setting up a Starlink Mini took less than 5 minutes.

Persons: Mini, Michael Nicolls, Elon Musk, Musk Organizations: SpaceX, CNBC, Starlink Locations: United States

☆ Boeing and NASA delay Starliner astronaut return to June 22, nearly doubling mission length to test spacecraft
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-14 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Boeing 's Starliner capsule "Calypso" will stay at the International Space Station twice as long as the mission originally planned, NASA announced Friday. Before launching on June 5, Boeing and NASA planned for Starliner to be in space for nine days. But Calypso's mission is now expected to return to Earth on June 22 — departing the ISS at 11:42 p.m. That means the Starliner crew flight test will now last at least 17 days, about double the original plan, for further spacecraft testing. The crew flight test represents a final major step before NASA certifies Boeing to fly crew on operational, six-month missions.

Persons: Butch Wilmore, Suni Williams, — Organizations: Boeing, Space, NASA

☆ Bezos' Blue Origin joins SpaceX, ULA in winning bids for $5.6 billion Pentagon rocket program
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-13 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The Pentagon announced the first winning bidders in its rocket launch contract sweepstakes on Thursday, with Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin grabbing a spot for the first time. Blue Origin's winning bid came as part of contracts awarded under the Pentagon's $5.6 billion National Security Space Launch program. Blue Origin, SpaceX, and ULA did not immediately respond to CNBC requests for comment. Under the program, known as NSSL Phase 3 Lane 1, the trio of companies will be eligible to compete for contracts through mid-2029. Blue Origin, as well as Northrop Grumman , missed out on Phase 2 when the Pentagon selected ULA and SpaceX for the program in August 2020.

Persons: Jeff Bezos, Blue Origin's, Elon Musk's, Alliance –, Lockheed Martin, ULA, Northrop Grumman Organizations: Glenn, Pentagon, Security, Elon Musk's SpaceX, United, Alliance, Lockheed, Boeing, SpaceX, CNBC, Northrop Locations: ULA

☆ Investing in Space: Virgin Galactic enters spaceflight hiatus after retiring Unity
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-13 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Virgin Galactic founder Sir Richard Branson, far left, and CEO Michael Colglazier, far right, stand with the crew of the Galactic 07 mission. But Virgin Galactic needs a great suborbital spaceship. But it's a far cry from the forecast Virgin Galactic sold investors on – more than 3,000 "cumulative passengers flown" by 2023 – when it went public five years ago. But that leaves a hiatus before the first Delta spacecraft debuts, with the key target of a first commercial flight in 2026. As a reminder, human spacecraft development is often years delayed, and Virgin Galactic has in the past been no exception: Virgin Galactic was supposed to begin spaceflights in 2010, but didn't until 2018.

Persons: Sir Richard Branson, Michael Colglazier, CNBC's Michael Sheetz, Galactic's, Colglazier, That's, Virgin Organizations: Virgin Galactic, VSS Unity, Galactic, Unity, VSS Imagine, VSS Inspire, VSS, Delta

☆ SpaceX launches fourth Starship test flight
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-06 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

SpaceX launched a fourth test flight of its Starship rocket on Thursday, as the company looks to push development of the mammoth vehicle past new milestones. Cheney Orr | ReutersSpaceX has flown the full Starship rocket system on three spaceflight tests previously, with launches in April 2023, November and March. Each of the test flights have achieved more milestones than the last, but each result destroyed the rocket before the flight's end. SpaceX will be looking to surpass the third test flight's milestones. "The primary objectives will be executing a landing burn and soft splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico with the Super Heavy booster, and achieving a controlled entry of Starship," SpaceX wrote.

Persons: Elon, SpaceX's, Cheney Orr, we've, Joe Skipper, it's Organizations: SpaceX, Elon Musk's, Boca Chica, Reuters SpaceX, NASA, Reuters, Super Locations: Boca Chica , Texas, Gulf of Mexico, Brownsville , Texas, U.S, Gulf, Mexico

☆ Boeing Starliner docks with ISS, delivering its first NASA crew to space station
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-06 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Boeing's Starliner capsule is seen while approaching the International Space Station with two NASA astronauts on board on June 6, 2024. Boeing's Starliner capsule docked with the International Space Station on Thursday, a milestone for the company's crew spacecraft in a crucial test flight. The spacecraft docked with the ISS at 1:34 p.m. There are now two U.S.-built crew spacecraft docked with the ISS for the first time. The mission represents a final major step before NASA certifies Boeing to fly crew on operational missions.

Persons: Boeing's, Boeing's Starliner Organizations: NASA, International, Boeing, ISS Locations: U.S

☆ Boeing Starliner launches for the first time carrying NASA astronauts to the ISS
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-05 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

In this article BA Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNTBoeing launched its first Starliner flight with astronauts on Wednesday, beginning a crucial final flight test of the long-delayed spacecraft. ET from Cape Canaveral, Florida with two NASA astronauts aboard. Starliner is carried by an United Launch Alliance's Atlas V rocket and bound for the International Space Station. Boeing's crew flight test aims to certify the Starliner system as capable of carrying NASA astronauts to-and-from the ISS. The capsule itself is built to carry as many as four NASA astronauts per flight and more than 200 pounds of research and cargo.

Persons: Boeing's, Steve Nesius, Lockheed Martin –, Miguel J, Rodriguez Carrillo, Butch Wilmore, Suni Williams, Wilmore, Kim Shiflett, NASA Williams, Williams, Isaac Watson, NASA Starliner Organizations: Boeing, NASA, United, International Space, Alliance, V, International, Reuters, Lockheed, United Launch, Boeing's, Kennedy Space Center, AFP, Getty, Space Shuttle, Russia's, U.S . Navy, Soyuz, Navy, United Launch Alliance, Cape Canaveral Space Force Locations: Cape Canaveral , Florida, U.S, ULA, Cape Canaveral, Fla, Florida

☆ Boeing and NASA call off Starliner crew launch minutes before liftoff
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-01 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Boeing 's first Starliner flight with astronauts on board was called off in the final minutes on Saturday. Holds in a rocket launch countdown – as well as "scrubs," indicating a launch delay – are a common occurrence in the industry. Two NASA astronauts are aboard the Starliner capsule, which would be carried by United Launch Alliance's Atlas V rocket to the International Space Station. Depending on the cause of the launch scrub, Boeing and NASA can reschedule the launch for another attempt 24 hours later, or target alternative launch dates of June 5th or June 6th. Saturday's crew flight test represents the final major step before receiving NASA certification to begin regular missions.

Persons: Lockheed Martin Organizations: United Launch Alliance, Boeing, International Space Station, NASA, United, Lockheed Locations: Florida, ULA

☆ Boeing, NASA cancel Starliner launch attempt scheduled Sunday after failed Saturday take-off
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-01 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Boeing's Starliner spacecraft atop the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket rolls out in Florida on Thursday, May 30, 2024. Leaders from Boeing, NASA and the United Launch Alliance, or ULA, held a press conference later Saturday afternoon to provide updates on the malfunction and the status of the next launch attempt. "The disappointment lasts for about three seconds," said Mark Nappi, Vice President and Program Manager of Boeing's Commercial Crew Program. Holds in a rocket launch countdown – as well as "scrubs," indicating a launch delay – are a common occurrence in the industry. Two NASA astronauts are aboard the Starliner capsule, which would be carried by United Launch Alliance's Atlas V rocket to the International Space Station.

Persons: Boeing's, Mark Nappi, ULA, Tory Bruno, Lockheed Martin Organizations: United Launch Alliance, International Space Station, Boeing, NASA, United, Lockheed Locations: Florida, ULA

☆ Investing in Space: The China factor in the U.S. space station race to replace the ISS
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-30 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

CNBC's Investing in Space newsletter offers a view into the business of space exploration and privatization, delivered straight to your inbox. I'd be surprised if most Americans know that there are not one, but two crewed space stations in orbit currently. I'd like to think the International Space Station is common knowledge, but is Tiangong? Tiangong, that second space station in orbit, is built and run by the Chinese. Ideally, NASA also gets more than one space station.

Persons: CNBC's Michael Sheetz, I'd, I've, NASA's Organizations: NASA, NASA's, Soyuz Locations: U.S, China

☆ AST SpaceMobile partners with Verizon, adding to AT&T coverage deal for satellite internet to phones
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-29 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Satellite-to-phones service provider AST SpaceMobile announced a partnership with Verizon on Wednesday, adding to the company's recent deal with AT&T to provide remote coverage across the United States. AST SpaceMobile is building satellites to provide broadband service to unmodified smartphones, in the nascent "direct-to-device" communications market. The company's chairman and CEO, Abel Avellan, touted AST's agreements with Verizon and AT&T as "essentially eliminating dead zones and empowering remote areas of the country with space-based connectivity." Verizon's deal effectively includes a $100 million raise for AST, as well, in the form of $65 million in commercial service prepayments and $35 million in debt via convertible notes. The companies said that $45 million of the prepayments "are subject to certain conditions" such as needed regulatory approvals and signing of a definitive commercial agreement.

Persons: Abel Avellan, Kalapala Organizations: AST, Verizon, AT Locations: United States

☆ Boeing, NASA say Starliner astronaut launch will move forward despite spacecraft helium leak
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-24 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Boeing and NASA are moving forward with the launch of the company's Starliner capsule, set to carry U.S. astronauts for the first time, despite a "stable" leak in the spacecraft's propulsion system. "We are comfortable with the causes that we've identified for this specific leak," Boeing Vice President and manager of the company's Commercial Crew program, Mark Nappi, said during a press conference on Friday. "We know we can manage this [leak], so this is really not a safety of flight issue," Nappi added. Boeing is now targeting June 1 for the first crewed launch of its spacecraft, with backup opportunities on June 2, June 5 and June 6. To date, Boeing has eaten $1.5 billion in costs due to Starliner setbacks, in addition to nearly $5 billion of NASA development funds.

Persons: Mark Nappi, Nappi Organizations: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA, United Launch Alliance, Boeing's, NASA's Boeing, Cape Canaveral Space Force, Boeing, International Space Locations: Florida

☆ Investing in Space: How the Pentagon is making use of AI with spy satellite data
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-23 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

CNBC's Investing in Space newsletter offers a view into the business of space exploration and privatization, delivered straight to your inbox. The conversation I moderated was on "Big (Geospatial) Data & AI," with the goal of exploring how the two rapidly evolving worlds of satellite data collection and artificial intelligence interact. Simply put, Project Maven at NGA is working on how AI can use satellite imagery and data to detect objects and activities around the world. "As the volume of that data grows, it is beyond the capacity of the human mind to be able to derive any kind of useful understanding from that kind of data," Martin said. And more change is coming: The next step in the evolution of geospatial data and AI, from her view, is applying generative AI "to basically arm non-experts with the ability to expertly use geospatial data."

Persons: CNBC's Michael Sheetz, Nathan Kundtz, Rachael Martin, Martin, Maven Organizations: Space, Maven, National Geospatial - Intelligence Agency, of, NGA, National Reconnaissance Office, NRO Locations: China

☆ Investing in Space: Boeing inches closer to Starliner launch
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

CNBC's Investing in Space newsletter offers a view into the business of space exploration and privatization, delivered straight to your inbox. Boeing's Starliner spacecraft is finally at the pad and on the eve of carrying astronauts for the first time. And, even this test flight doesn't feel like a given. Boeing is going to test the capsule's propulsion system before moving forward, so we'll see if the May 21 target holds. The coming Starliner crew flight test doesn't mean that race is back on.

Persons: Boeing's, CNBC's Michael Sheetz, It's, Starliner's Organizations: Alliance, International, CNBC's, Boeing, NASA, SpaceX Locations: Cape Canaveral , Florida, U.S

☆ Investing in Space: Boeing takes backup role in flying NASA astronauts
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-28 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

CNBC's Investing in Space newsletter offers a view into the business of space exploration and privatization, delivered straight to your inbox. Boeing's Starliner program finally feels close to flying people in space for the first time. It was originally planned to launch this crew flight test in November 2018. On the eve of flying crew, Boeing's messaging is now closer to "NASA wants us as backup and we're not committing beyond that." The additionally unfortunate aspect of this situation is that none of these years of setbacks and cost overruns seem to have lit a fire under Boeing's space management.

Persons: CNBC's Michael Sheetz, Boeing's, we're, Starliner, it's, SpaceX's Dragon, Boeing's Starliner, Mark Nappi, Nappi Organizations: ISS, Boeing, SpaceX, NASA

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