On August 3, Boeing postponed the launch of the CST-100 Starliner spacecraft to the International Space Station due to unexpected system issues.
In a statement, Boeing reported that during pre-launch preparations, engineers discovered abnormal signs in a valve within the spacecraft’s engine system. The issue was detected during inspections following thunderstorms in the area.
The Starliner spacecraft, filled with supplies, was scheduled to be launched on an Atlas V rocket manufactured by United Launch Alliance, a partnership between Boeing and Lockheed Martin.
The Atlas V rocket carrying Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft at Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA. (Photo: Reuters).
The launch was originally planned for July 30, but NASA decided to postpone it after the space station lost control due to an accidental reactivation of the thruster engines on a newly assembled Russian module. NASA had planned to reschedule for August 3, but this plan was once again delayed.
In a statement, NASA indicated that it intends to launch around 11:57 PM tonight, August 4, local time in Vietnam.
This test launch mission is intended to be a precursor to Boeing’s crewed flight, which is expected to take place before the end of this year.
The Starliner spacecraft represents Boeing’s efforts to compete with billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, as SpaceX was the first to return NASA astronauts to the space station from American soil after nearly a decade.
Boeing’s test launch of the spacecraft has been postponed twice. (Photo: Reuters).
However, a series of software glitches during the first test launch in December 2019 prevented Starliner from docking with the space station.
Meanwhile, according to NASA, SpaceX has successfully conducted three crewed missions to the space station since 2020, with the fourth crewed mission scheduled for as early as October 31.
In 2014, NASA awarded contracts to Boeing and SpaceX to develop private spacecraft capable of transporting American astronauts to the space station.
Boeing stated that if the company successfully prepares for the launch, they will aim to conduct the next crewed mission as early as December.
