Boeing's crew capsule declared ready for 1st space flight
By MARCIA DUNN
AP Aerospace Writer
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) - Boeing's Starliner crew capsule finally has a launch date for its first test flight to the International Space Station. After an intensive review Thursday, NASA and Boeing managers agreed to a Dec. 20 liftoff. No one will be aboard, just a mannequin named Rosie. Three astronauts will strap in for the second test flight sometime next year. SpaceX also plans to launch astronauts for NASA next year. The company conducted a test flight without a crew in March. It will be the first time U.S. astronauts rocket to orbit from home soil in nearly nine years.
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