Boeing’s First Crewed Space Flight Delayed Just Hours Before Launch
In a last-minute decision, Boeing’s first crewed space flight was postponed just two hours before launch for a safety check, Nasa officials revealed.
Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams were already strapped in inside the Starliner spacecraft when the decision was made due to a potential issue with an oxygen relief valve.
The eagerly anticipated launch from Cape Canaveral in Florida, bound for the International Space Station (ISS), was put on hold.
Boeing indicated that the earliest a new launch attempt could happen is on Friday, as stated in a post on social media.
This mission has faced numerous delays over the years due to setbacks in the spacecraft’s development.
“Standing down on tonight’s attempt to launch,” tweeted Nasa chief Bill Nelson. “As I’ve said before, @NASA’s first priority is safety. We go when we’re ready.”
Boeing is aiming to become the second private company capable of providing crew transport to and from the ISS, joining Elon Musk’s SpaceX in this endeavor.
In 2020, SpaceX achieved this milestone with its Dragon capsule, marking the end of US reliance on Russian space rockets after nearly a decade.
The Starliner’s initial uncrewed test flight, initially slated for 2015, was pushed back to 2019. However, software glitches during the flight led to an internal clock malfunction, causing thrusters to over-fire and deplete fuel, preventing the capsule from reaching the ISS.
A second attempt in August 2021 was delayed once more until May 2022, attributed to a propulsion system issue. Despite finally completing its mission on its most recent launch, concerns were raised regarding the performance of certain thrusters and the craft’s cooling system. — BBC
