The primary crewed flight of Boeing’s Starliner capsule nonetheless hasn’t launched greater than two weeks after its initially scheduled liftoff date, and as of proper now, there’s no telling when it’ll. In an announcement emailed to members of the press late on Tuesday, NASA introduced it was calling off the launch try set for Might 25. Starliner’s maiden crew mission has already been rescheduled a number of instances, however on this occasion, NASA hasn’t set a brand new launch date. “NASA will share extra particulars as soon as now we have a clearer path ahead,” the company mentioned in its assertion, per SpaceNews.
The primary try at first of the month was scrubbed as a result of discovery of a defective oxygen aid valve on the ULA Atlas V rocket carrying Starliner. Engineers changed the valve and Starliner was slated to fly later that week, however that try was postponed, too. On Might 14, NASA revealed that engineers have been working to resolve a helium leak within the spacecraft’s propulsion system. In an replace just a few days later, NASA mentioned the leak was “secure and wouldn’t pose a threat at that stage in the course of the flight.” A brand new focused launch date was set at the moment and in the end rescheduled as soon as extra, but it surely appears the issues are ongoing.
“The workforce has been in conferences for 2 consecutive days, assessing flight rationale, system efficiency and redundancy,” the company mentioned within the newest replace, in keeping with SpaceNews. “There’s nonetheless ahead work in these areas, and the following attainable launch alternative remains to be being mentioned.” Delays have outlined Starliner’s growth up till this level, however since two astronauts — Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams — shall be on board for this mission, the stakes are particularly excessive; now is not the time to begin slicing corners.
