2024-05-16 06:09:25
The primary manned area flight of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft has been postponed as soon as once more, with liftoff now scheduled for Might 21 on the earliest, AFP reported, citing the corporate.
The launch of a mission to the Worldwide House Station (ISS), essential for Boeing and anticipated for years, was canceled on the final minute final week, with the crew of two NASA astronauts taking their seats on the board.
The rationale for the flight delay was an issue with a valve on the Atlas launch automobile, which compelled it to be returned to the hangar in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Then it was introduced that the takeoff may probably be on Might 17, Friday, recollects AFP, quoted by BTA.
The failed valve “has been efficiently changed,” Boeing mentioned in a press launch.
Nonetheless, a brand new downside has appeared – “a small leak of helium within the service module of the spacecraft”, informs the corporate. Specialists need to conduct “extra exams”.
Helium is used within the spacecraft’s propulsion system, Boeing mentioned, including that it was working with NASA to resolve the difficulty.
The deliberate launch date is now Might twenty first.
In the meantime, the 2 astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Sonny Williams, have returned to Houston, Texas, however are anticipated to reach again in Florida “within the subsequent few days,” in response to Boeing.
The newest postponement of the flight got here at a time when this system to develop the spacecraft was marked by numerous disagreeable surprises that led to a number of years of delay, recollects AFP.
Boeing is betting huge on this take a look at mission as a result of, if profitable, the Starliner may start common missions to the ISS 4 years after SpaceX, which already operates as NASA’s area shuttle.
As soon as licensed, the Boeing capsule will carry as much as 4 astronauts to the ISS.