An astronaut dad gives up once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend daughter's wedding. Chris Ferguson announced that he would be giving up the chance to serve as the commander of Boeing's first test flight to space next year.
Committed to Spaceflight
On Wednesday, the 59-year-old astronaut posted a video on his Twitter account. In it, he revealed the news about making a "difficult and personal" decision. However, he reassured his followers that he will still be "deeply committed to human spaceflight."
Ferguson remained general in what he said on his post. He said that he gave up on the chance because he prioritized his family and other important commitments. A Boeing spokesperson told "PEOPLE" that one of the commitments Ferguson noted included his daughter's wedding.
In the dad's clip, he said that he had chosen to step aside as commander of the crewed flight test scheduled for next year. Ferguson also added that he is dedicated to the Starliner Program and is passionate about the team that built her.
Many Commitments Next Year
Ferguson continued by saying that he had made many commitments next year that he could not afford to miss. He explained that he is not going anywhere, including space next year. He also added that he is thankful for the Boeing team and the crew for their understanding.
The astronaut's dad wrote on his tweet that he is taking on a new mission to keep his feet planted firmly on Earth. NASA's Commercial Crew Program developed the Boeing CST-100 Starliner spacecraft. Based on Boeing's website, the spacecraft allows seven passengers or crew and cargo mix.
I’m taking on a new mission, one that keeps my feet planted here firmly on Earth and prioritizes my most important crew – my family. I’ll still be working hard with the #Starliner team and the @NASA_Astronauts on our crew. pic.twitter.com/PgdhPqwYQS — Christopher Ferguson (@Astro_Ferg) October 7, 2020
The Starliner spacecraft will conduct "time-critical scientific research" to the International Space Station, the website reads.
How He Was Chosen
"SpaceFlight Now" reported that in December 2019, the first unpiloted test flight took off. It has software issues that have stopped it from its planned travel to the International Space Station, based on NASA's statement.
Later, NASA said in a press release that no earlier than December 2020, the Commercial Crew Program plans to make a second unpiloted test flight. The space agency noted that if all goes well, it will happen in June 2021.
Boeing said that since 2011, Ferguson became "an integral part of the Starliner program." It was when they tapped him for the commander role. His biography on the website said that he led the spacecraft's mission systems development and crew interfaces.
It also wrote that he was responsible for the testing system concepts and the launch and ground systems technologies. Ferguson has spent more than 40 days in space and 5,700 hours in the aircraft that was space-bound.
The Boeing's press release said that veteran astronaut Barry "Butch" Wilmore would replace Ferguson. He will join Nicole Mann and Mike Fincke for the historic mission.
