'Never ending setbacks': NASA's Boeing Starliner space capsule delayed by another 10 days
Produced by: Tarun Mishra
Launch Delay
NASA announced a setback in the scheduled crewed test flight of Boeing Co's Starliner space capsule, attributing it to a pressure valve issue.
Revised Launch Date
The mission, critical for Boeing’s competitiveness against SpaceX, is now targeted for May 17 at the earliest, as per NASA's latest update.
Initial Schedule
Originally planned for liftoff on Monday, the launch faced a last-minute cancellation due to a malfunctioning pressure regulation valve.
Technical Glitch
The valve problem occurred in the upper-stage liquid oxygen tank of the Atlas V rocket, operated by United Launch Alliance (ULA), a Boeing-Lockheed Martin venture.
Crew Details
The Starliner was set to carry two NASA astronauts, Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams, both experienced with over 500 hours of spaceflight.
Post-Launch Plan
Upon reaching the International Space Station (ISS), the crew was expected to dock for about a week before returning to Earth with a parachute- and airbag-assisted landing.
Repair Process
ULA decided to replace the faulty valve, necessitating the rocket’s return to the hangar for repairs and evaluations, pushing the launch date further.
Program Background
The crewed flight follows the Starliner's first test flight to the ISS without humans, which occurred two years ago, alongside an unsuccessful uncrewed flight in 2019.
Competitive Landscape
Boeing's efforts to establish Starliner's success contrasts with SpaceX's reliability as NASA's transport to space, amid intense scrutiny and cost overruns for Boeing.