Delayed Shatner still off to space, but Boeing’s stalled Starliner grounded till 2022

One of the nicest men on the face of the planet, William Shatner, is going to space. If you don’t know why this is significant, we have only one question: How are you finding your first week on the internet? But, Blue Origin has delayed Captain Kirk’s trip to space. Not for terribly long, mind you. But it’s still a delay.

Shatner to Enterprise — four to beam up

Blue Origin announced the weather-prompted delay on its website, saying that while all of its passengers (the company still calls them astronauts) are cleared for takeoff and that training for the flight has begun. Shatner and friends’ launch will take place on 13 October instead — weather permitting. If you’d like to check the flight out, it’ll take place on 13 October, at 15h30 South African Standard Time.

Better luck next  year, Boeing

Boeing, on the other hand, seems to have suffered a far more significant delay. Its Starliner passenger capsule was supposed to take its second shot at an orbital test this year, which was first delayed after an International Space Station mishap, then by ongoing valve issues.

NASA has updated the status of the mission, saying that “The team currently is working toward opportunities in the first half of 2022 pending hardware readiness, the rocket manifest, and space station availability.” This, in simpler terms, means that Boeing will get to go to the International Space Station sometime next year… provided it can sort itself out.