In a statement on June 21, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced that the plan to return Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, carrying astronauts from the International Space Station (ISS) back to Earth, has been delayed once again. NASA has not provided a new estimated timeline for this plan.
The Atlas V rocket carrying the Starliner spacecraft is positioned on the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA, on May 31, 2024. (Illustrative photo: AFP/TTXVN).
During the spacecraft inspection, the crew discovered five technical issues with 28 propulsion engines, including five helium leaks that could increase pressure in these engines and several unresolved problems in the valve system. These malfunctions have exacerbated the issues in Boeing’s Starliner program, which has faced software bugs, design flaws, or disputes among subcontractors for many years.
This is the fourth delay since the Starliner spacecraft carried two NASA astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, to the ISS on June 5 after several previous cancellations. This flight also marks the first time Starliner has sent astronauts into space following two uncrewed test flights since 2019.
The first mission of the CST-200 Starliner crew to the ISS is a significant milestone for Boeing, as it is seen as a critical test before NASA grants certification allowing Starliner to conduct regular flights. The launch of this spacecraft comes at a time when Boeing is striving to capture a larger market share in NASA’s lucrative business operations.
