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Boeing Scrubs First Astronaut Launch Due to Valve Problem
More for the conspiracy theorists to talk about?
Via the DOD: A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket is unloaded from a delivery ship at Cape Canaveral, Fla., June 21, 2021. This rocket will launch Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft for the Crew Flight Test mission, which will be Boeing’s first crewed mission in history. (U.S. Space Force photo by Joshua Conti)
Boeing’s highly anticipated first astronaut launch was called off Monday night due to a valve problem detected on the rocket, just two hours before liftoff. The setback occurred as NASA test pilots prepared to board Boeing’s Starliner capsule for a flight to the International Space Station.
United Launch Alliance CEO Tory Bruno disclosed that an oxygen pressure-relief valve on the upper stage of the Atlas rocket exhibited irregular behavior, fluttering open and close, prompting a halt in the countdown. This issue, Bruno explained, may have resulted from the valve exceeding its 200,000 lifetime cycles, potentially necessitating replacement and delaying the launch until next week. However, if engineers determine the valve remains within the prescribed limit, another launch attempt could be made as early as Friday.
This latest delay compounds the challenges Boeing has faced in executing its first crewed flight, which has been on hold for years due to persistent capsule issues. While similar valve problems have been encountered in the past with Atlas rockets launching satellites, Bruno emphasized that the company’s stringent flight rules for crewed missions prohibited the recycling of valves when astronauts are on board, leading to the decision to scrub the launch.
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NASA’s commercial crew program manager Steve Stich acknowledged the difficulty of the decision, underscoring the agency's commitment to prioritizing safety. He stated, “We’re taking it one step at a time, and we’re going to launch when we’re ready and fly when it’s safe to do so.”
Following the countdown interruption, Boeing’s newly acquired astrovan swiftly returned to the launch pad to retrieve NASA test pilots Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams from their position at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Boeing’s Starliner program has encountered numerous setbacks, including a failed test flight without a crew in 2019 and subsequent challenges with parachute deployment and flammable materials. The company, along with SpaceX, was contracted by NASA a decade ago to transport astronauts to and from the International Space Station following the retirement of the shuttle program. While SpaceX has been operational in this capacity since 2020, Boeing continues to address technical hurdles in its pursuit of crewed spaceflight.
