Title: Boeing Co’s Starliner Space Capsule Launch Delayed to May 17 for Pressure Valve Replacement
The much-anticipated debut voyage of Boeing Co’s Starliner space capsule, featuring Indian-American astronaut Sunita Williams, has been postponed once again due to the need to replace a faulty pressure valve on its booster rocket. The new target launch date is no earlier than May 17, NASA announced on Tuesday.
The spacecraft was set to embark on its first crewed test flight to the International Space Station (ISS) on Monday night. However, less than two hours before the scheduled launch, a pressure regulation valve malfunctioned on the upper-stage liquid oxygen tank of the Atlas V rocket, forcing the mission to be aborted. The two-member crew, consisting of NASA astronauts Barry Wilmore, 61, and Sunita Williams, 58, had already been strapped into their seats aboard the spacecraft for about an hour before launch activities were suspended.
The rocket, built by United Launch Alliance (ULA), a Boeing-Lockheed Martin joint venture, is a separate component from the Starliner capsule.
After Monday night’s unsuccessful launch attempt, NASA, Boeing, and ULA announced plans to try again as early as Friday, May 10. However, an update posted on Tuesday revealed that more time was needed after ULA decided to remove and replace the faulty pressure valve. The rocket will need to be rolled back to its hangar for repairs, leak checks, and other reviews before a second launch attempt, pushing the potential launch date back another week.
The Starliner’s debut voyage has been highly anticipated and long-delayed, as Boeing strives to compete with Elon Musk’s SpaceX for a larger share of lucrative NASA business. The mission’s success will mark a significant milestone for Boeing and serve as a testament to the resilience of the space industry in the face of challenges. In the meantime, NASA, Boeing, and ULA continue to work diligently to ensure the safety and success of the upcoming launch.
