What an embarrassment. This vehicle will probably finally fly at some point, but all these delays are humiliating to America’s space program. Incompetence on the part of Boeing.
The space agency did not describe what options are on the table, but sources said they range from flying the spacecraft “as is” with a thorough understanding of the leak and confidence it won’t become more significant in flight, to removing the capsule from its Atlas V rocket and taking it back to a hangar for repairs.
Theoretically, the former option could permit a launch attempt as soon as next week. The latter alternative could delay the launch until at least late summer.
Late summer! Ouch. Sounds like that’s based on ISS parking spot availability.
I suppose that kind of counts, but Boeing doesn’t make the entire SLS, do they? Just the upper stage?
As you point out, SLS works fine, it’s just ridiculously expensive.
Edit: Upper stage is ULA (for now). Boeing makes the core stage, sans engines, which are Shuttle leftovers or Aerojet Rocketdyne in the future. SRBs are also Shuttle leftovers, with Northrop Grumman making new ones. Orion is from Airbus.
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