Boeing is gearing up for a new attempt to launch NASA astronauts aboard its Starliner spacecraft.
This test flight is significant as it will mark the first time a crew will fly a spacecraft to the International Space Station.
Originally scheduled for May 6, the launch was canceled with just two hours left in the countdown. Liftoff is now set for 12:25 p.m. ET on Saturday from Cape Canaveral Space Station in Florida. The spacecraft will be launched into orbit aboard an Atlas V rocket built by United Launch Alliance, a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin.
The purpose of the test flight is to demonstrate that Starliner can safely transport astronauts to the space station. If successful, it could potentially grant NASA permission to grant Boeing regular flights to the orbital outpost, providing a second alternative to SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft.
Boeing’s May 6 launch was scrapped due to a valve issue on the Atlas V rocket. NASA astronauts Barry “Batch” Wilmore and Sunita Williams were already onboard and strapped in when the launch was aborted.
While efforts were ongoing to fix the booster’s faulty valve, another problem—a helium leak—was discovered in the Starliner capsule’s propulsion system, causing further delays for a project that has already faced setbacks and cost overruns.
During a press conference, it was revealed that the rocket’s valve replacement was successful, but the helium leak would not be repaired before the next flight.
Steve Stich, manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, assured that the slow leak was thoroughly assessed and deemed unlikely to pose a threat to the crew, mission, or spacecraft.
Mark Nappi, Boeing’s vice president for commercial crew programs, mentioned that fixing the leak would necessitate separating the spacecraft from the rocket, resulting in a significant delay.
Despite the potential risks, mission managers expressed their readiness to proceed with Saturday’s test flight.
Representatives from NASA, Boeing, and United Launch Alliance convened to review preparations and formally approved continuing preparations for Saturday’s launch.
John Laux/AP File
Wilmore and Williams, who were in quarantine in Houston during the rocket and spacecraft preparations, returned to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Tuesday.
If all goes as planned, they will spend about a week aboard the International Space Station before returning to Earth and landing at Starliner’s primary landing site at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.
Boeing aims to compete with SpaceX, which has been transporting NASA astronauts to the space station since 2020. Both companies developed spacecraft under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program to encourage the development of commercial spacecraft capable of reaching low Earth orbit after the retirement of the space shuttle fleet.
However, the Starliner project has encountered numerous challenges thus far.
The capsule’s first unmanned flight was aborted in 2019 due to a software glitch preventing it from docking with the space station. After delays caused by a fuel valve issue, Boeing demonstrated in 2022 that Starliner could dock with the ISS and return safely to Earth.
The company faced increased scrutiny after an incident involving one of its 737 MAX 9 jets.
Source: www.nbcnews.com
