NASA, SpaceX push back first flight of Crew Dragon to ISS

SpaceX, one of two companies tasked with taking astronauts to the International Space Station, has pushed back its first uncrewed demonstration flight to no earlier than February.

CEO Elon Musk and NASA both confirmed this week that the mission will fly sometime next month, a delay from the previously mentioned Jan. 17 launch date. The rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft appeared for the first time at Kennedy Space Center's pad 39A on Jan. 3.

Before flying crews to the ISS, both contractors selected for NASA's Commercial Crew Program – SpaceX and Boeing – are required to fly uncrewed versions of their Crew Dragon and Starliner spacecraft. Only after successfully flying in that configuration can they proceed with fully crewed missions to the orbiting outpost.

As it stands, SpaceX is targeting June for its crewed demonstration flight if the first mission goes well. Boeing, meanwhile, is looking to March for its uncrewed flight and August for the crewed version.

The return to human spaceflight from the Space Coast is significant for two reasons: It marks the first crewed missions since 2011, and it falls in line with the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11's landing on the moon.

Contact Emre Kelly at aekelly@floridatoday.com or 321-242-3715. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @EmreKelly.