Spacewatch: NASA to Launch New Crewed Boat in 2019 | Science

NOTAsa and its commercial partners, Boeing and SpaceX, are nearing the end of their program of developing new crew capsules that will serve as taxis between the Earth and the International Space Station (ISS).

The last two unprepared test flights were confirmed for next year, followed by the first astronauts this summer.

The United States no longer has the national means to launch their astronauts since 2011, the year of the withdrawal of the space shuttle. Since then, he relies on the Russian Soyuz ship to transport Americans in space.

In parallel, NASA has developed capsules as part of the commercial crew program. This effort is coming to an end. On January 7, SpaceX will launch its first Crew Dragon spacecraft, an unarmed test flight to the ISS, which will pave the way for the first crewed flight in June.

In March, Boeing will perform a similar test on its CST-100 Starliner in anticipation of its crew launch in August. Prior to manned flights, both companies will conduct launch and drop-in tests. NASA is also conducting a review of its corporate safety culture.