Launch of a Boeing Crewed Spacecraft Delayed for Safety Inspection

Just two hours before takeoff, Boeing’s first crewed space mission was cancelled for a safety check, according to NASA authorities.

The decision to abort was made due to a possible problem with an oxygen relief valve in the Atlas rocket operated by the United Launch Alliance, when astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams were already in their positions inside the Starliner.

Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, which is perched atop the rocket, was in perfect working order.

The countdown was stopped when flight engineers noticed that the valve had been opening and shutting quickly in the lead-up to launch.

To determine how much energy the valve used, the flight crew is presently reviewing the data. It will need to be changed if its operating life has been exceeded; according to ULA, its engineers can complete the task in a few days.

It was anticipated that the spacecraft would launch from Florida’s Cape Canaveral and travel to the International Space Station (ISS).

Starliner Launch Delayed After Issue Identified With Rocket Valve

Boeing stated in a social media post that a fresh attempt at launch might happen as soon as this Friday.

Delays in the spacecraft’s development have already caused the mission to be postponed for a number of years.

“Remaining steadfast in our efforts to launch tonight,” tweeted NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “As I’ve stated previously, safety is @NASA’s first concern. When we’re ready, we go.

Along with Elon Musk’s SpaceX, Boeing aims to be the second commercial company to be able to ferry crew members to and from the International Space Station.

With its Dragon capsule, Mr. Musk’s company became the first to accomplish this in 2020, ending nearly ten years of US reliance on Russian space rockets.

The first unmanned test flight of the Starliner was supposed to happen in 2015, however it wasn’t until 2019. When it did happen, an internal clock fault caused by software bugs caused thrusters to overfire. The capsule ran out of fuel before it could get to the International Space Station.

August 2021 was the intended date of a second attempt, but it was postponed until May 2022. It was determined to be a propulsion system problem. When Starliner did eventually depart Earth, it accomplished its entire mission, but issues with some thruster performance and the craft’s cooling system were brought up.