Boeing will have to wait for a few more days to prove its mettle to NASA, as its Starliner spacecraft has run into another problem. The company and NASA were going to launch the capsule on August 4, but problems with the valve of the spacecraft have derailed the plans.
“We’re standing down from today’s #Starliner Orbital Flight Test-2 launch,” Boeing tweeted. The company blamed the “unexpected valve position indications in the propulsion system” that were spotted by engineers during pre-launch preparations. As of now, it’s unclear whether the problem is with Starliner or the Atlas V rocket that is supposed to ferry the capsule to space. The space agency and Boeing will soon provide an update on the situation.
Series of delay for Starliner
“We’re disappointed with today’s outcome and the need to reschedule our Starliner launch,” said John Vollmer, vice president, and program manager for Boeing’s Commercial Crew Program. “Human spaceflight is a complex, precise and unforgiving endeavor, and Boeing and NASA teams will take the time they need to ensure the safety and integrity of the spacecraft and the achievement of our mission objectives.”
After its first successful test flight, Starliner was set to fly to space on July 30. However, the date was moved ahead by NASA after the new Russian ISS Nauka module unexpectedly fired its thrusters, throwing the ISS off course.
History of failed attempts
Starliner’s first flight in 2019 wasn’t successful, as it failed to follow its targeted orbit, preventing it from taking a planned route to the ISS. However, the spacecraft did not crash and the ground team landed it safely two days later in New Mexico. An investigation confirmed that several issues with the spacecraft’s systems were to blame.
Boeing and NASA have been working closely for the last 18 months to get past these hurdles. The effort is part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, an initiative that brings NASA and private space companies together to boost space travel and supply missions.
