Boeing announced on Monday that it plans to be ready to fly NASA astronauts with its Starliner capsule by March, following a delay in the scheduled launch this summer.

“We anticipate having the spacecraft ready in early March,” said Mark Nappi, Vice President and Starliner manager at Boeing, during a press conference.

Nappi clarified, “This doesn’t mean we have a launch date in early March. We are currently collaborating with NASA, the Commercial Crew program, the International Space Station, and ULA to determine potential launch dates based on our readiness. We will continue to work over the next few weeks to find a suitable launch date.”

The company is still working towards Starliner’s crew flight test, which will serve as the final demonstration before regular spaceflights begin, carrying NASA astronauts to the ISS.

Boeing has experienced two launch delays this year, mainly due to issues with the spacecraft’s parachutes and a specific type of tape used in its assembly. Consequently, the company now expects the crewed launch to take place next year.

According to representatives from NASA and Boeing, the work to replace the problematic tape is expected to be completed by the end of September. Additionally, a parachute drop test is scheduled for “mid-to-late” November. Nappi emphasized the critical nature of the parachute work, stating that it is necessary for readiness by March.

Steve Stich, NASA’s Commercial Crew manager, stated that Starliner is 98% complete in terms of progress towards spacecraft certification for astronaut transport.

Regarding the timing of Boeing’s first operational flight, Stich deferred, indicating that it depends on the timing and outcome of the final test flight.

“Is it possible to fit it in by the end of next year? It’s probably too early to tell,” Stich remarked.

Starliner remains a costly and delayed project for Boeing. Due to years of delays and development cost overruns, Boeing has reported absorbing approximately $1.5 billion in overrun costs to date.