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Unfortunately, the world will have to wait at least another week before the highly anticipated first crewed mission of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft.
The launch, originally scheduled for May 17, was delayed due to a small helium leak found in the spacecraft's service module by Boeing teams. The leak was traced to a flange on a thruster where helium is used to enable firing.
According to a release from Boeing, the new target launch date is now set for no earlier than 4:43 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, May 21. Additional testing will be conducted to ensure everything is in order before the launch.
This important mission, known as the Crew Flight Test, is a significant step that NASA must approve before Boeing's spacecraft can be used regularly in the Commercial Crew Program.
NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore, right, and Suni Williams pose for a photo after they arrived at the Kennedy Space Center, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. The two test pilots will launch aboard Boeing's Starliner capsule atop an Atlas rocket to the International Space Station, scheduled for liftoff on May 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams were all smiles as they posed for a photo at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The two test pilots are set to launch aboard Boeing's Starliner capsule, which will be carried by an Atlas rocket to the International Space Station. The liftoff is scheduled for May 6, 2024. (Photo credit: Terry Renna/AP)
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Boeing and NASA are working on tests and solutions for the leak. Boeing intends to bring the propulsion system to the flight pressurization level just before launch and then let the helium system vent naturally. A review of the data from a May 6 launch attempt has not revealed any other problems, according to Boeing.
The NASA astronauts set to crew the mission for a weeklong stay at the International Space Station, Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, have been in preflight quarantine. However, they returned to Houston on May 10 to spend time with their families during the operations preflight, Boeing said.
Williams and Wilmore will fly back to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida in the coming days, according to the release.
Boeing is on a mission to create history. It has been ten years in the making, with the goal of designing a spacecraft that can safely transport astronauts to and from the International Space Station through NASA's commercial program.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson mentioned in a recent news conference that the upcoming launch of Starliner will be the sixth crewed spacecraft maiden voyage in US history. Nelson highlighted the previous milestones with Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, the space shuttle, and SpaceX's Dragon.
Boeing created the Starliner to compete with SpaceX's popular Crew Dragon capsule, as part of NASA's effort to work with private companies to increase options for transporting astronauts to the International Space Station.
During the mission, Williams will also become the first woman to be part of such a historic journey.
Starliner's journey to the launchpad has been delayed due to development issues, test flight challenges, and expensive setbacks. In contrast, SpaceX, Boeing's competitor in NASA's commercial crew program, has emerged as the preferred choice for transporting astronauts to space.
The launch was originally planned for May 6, and Williams and Wilmore were all set in the Starliner capsule. However, engineers discovered an issue and had to stop the launch.
The United Launch Alliance team, responsible for the Atlas V rocket, found a problem with a pressure regulation valve on a liquid oxygen tank that had to be changed. The valve has been replaced, but now there is a new problem with a helium leak on the Boeing spacecraft on top of the rocket, leading to more delays.
If the spacecraft launches next week as scheduled, it will separate from the Atlas V rocket once it reaches orbit. The astronauts on board will then start up the spacecraft's engines. The journey to the space station will take more than 24 hours, as the Starliner slowly approaches its destination.
Williams and Wilmore will spend approximately a week at the orbiting laboratory. They will be joining the seven astronauts and cosmonauts who are already on board. During this time, the Starliner will remain docked outside the space station.
The two astronauts will come back home on the same Starliner capsule, landing with parachutes at specific spots in the southwestern United States.
This report includes contributions from CNN's Jackie Wattles and Ashley Strickland.
Editor's P/S:
The much-anticipated launch of Boeing's Starliner spacecraft has once again been pushed back due to a minor helium leak. This delay is a setback for Boeing's plans to establish a regular presence in NASA's Commercial Crew Program. Despite these challenges, the mission remains a significant step forward in the development of commercial spaceflight.
While the delay is unfortunate, it is a testament to the rigorous safety protocols in place for crewed space missions. The identification and resolution of the leak demonstrate the commitment of Boeing and NASA to ensuring the well-being of the astronauts aboard the Starliner. It is essential that all potential issues are addressed before launch to mitigate any risks to human life. This mission marks a milestone in the history of human spaceflight and is a testament to the ongoing efforts to make space exploration more accessible.
