Boeing Starliner’s crew flight test delayed due to a valve problem
NASA will attempt to send a pair of astronauts to space aboard Boeing’s Starliner aircraft for the first time soon, but not today. As the the astronauts settled into place, officials scrubbed Monday night’s planned launch attempt at around 8:30PM ET, due to “a faulty oxygen relief valve observation” on the ULA Atlas V rocket’s Centaur second stage. Another launch window is available on Tuesday night, but it’s unclear whether they will be able to reset that quickly.
The launch was scheduled to take place at 10:34PM ET from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, with a livestream available on NASA’s YouTube channel.
The United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V rocket will propel the Starliner aircraft to space, where it will stay at the ISS for one week. While on board, flight commander Butch Wilmore and pilot Suni Williams will test the Starliner’s capabilities, including launching, docking, and its eventual return to Earth.
Boeing built the Starliner as part of its $4.2 billion contract with NASA, which encourages the development of new spacecraft from private companies through the agency’s Commercial Crew Program.
If all goes well during this flight, NASA will certify Starliner, allowing it to ferry NASA astronauts between Earth and the ISS. This could make the Starliner a new rival for SpaceX, which has been carrying NASA astronauts to space since 2020.
Update May 6th: Added details about scrubbed Monday night launch attempt.
NASA will attempt to send a pair of astronauts to space aboard Boeing’s Starliner aircraft for the first time soon, but not today. As the the astronauts settled into place, officials scrubbed Monday night’s planned launch attempt at around 8:30PM ET, due to “a faulty oxygen relief valve observation” on…
Recent Posts
- Google I/O 2024 live blog: it’s AI time
- Comcast’s StreamSaver bundle will put Netflix, Apple TV Plus and Peacock all under the same roof – and for a ‘vastly reduced price’
- Amazon to produce a live-action Tomb Raider series
- Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II highlights the next round of May Game Pass titles
- AMD RDNA 4 graphics cards could be imminent, as huge driver-related hint is dropped
Archives
- May 2024
- April 2024
- March 2024
- February 2024
- January 2024
- December 2023
- November 2023
- October 2023
- September 2023
- August 2023
- July 2023
- June 2023
- May 2023
- April 2023
- March 2023
- February 2023
- January 2023
- December 2022
- November 2022
- October 2022
- September 2022
- August 2022
- July 2022
- June 2022
- May 2022
- April 2022
- March 2022
- February 2022
- January 2022
- December 2021
- November 2021
- October 2021
- September 2021
- August 2021
- July 2021
- June 2021
- May 2021
- April 2021
- March 2021
- February 2021
- January 2021
- December 2020
- November 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
- August 2020
- July 2020
- June 2020
- May 2020
- April 2020
- March 2020
- February 2020
- January 2020
- December 2019
- November 2019
- December 2011