Boeing ’s Starliner ballistic capsule at the space place during an uncrewed test escape . NASA / Boeing
NASA had been hoping to perform the first crew launching of the troubled Boeing Starliner capsule this weekend , but now the launch has once again been delayed , with no fresh particular date yet announced .
The Starliner get to be an alternative to the SpaceX Dragon for ferrying astronauts between Earth and the International Space Station ( ISS ) . However , the spacecraft ’s ontogeny has been beset by delays and problems , with its first effort at an uncrewed test flying to the ISS fail to reach the station in 2019 . The Starliner did eventually make it to the ISS in a second exam flight of stairs in 2022 , but that was also uncrewed .
Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft at the space station during an uncrewed test flight.NASA/Boeing
The next challenge is for the Starliner to successfully run NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sun Williams to the post . However , the first attack at a crewed launch wascalled off two hours before liftoffon Monday , May 6 , due to an issue with a valve on the Atlas quintuplet roquette that was to carry the Starliner into orbit .
While that problem was due to the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket and not the Starliner itself , which is a peculiarity as that Eruca vesicaria sativa has been used frequently for many year with a high grade of success , engineers occur across a helium leak on the Starliner after fixing the valve issues . This leak has caused the trial flight to berepeatedlydelayed , with the most recent plan to launch on Saturday , May 25 .
However , now that planned launch wo n’t go on either , and NASA has not yet tell when it will perform the launch . “ The squad has been in encounter for two consecutive days , assessing flight rationale , arrangement performance , and redundancy , ” NASA wrote in an emailed update . “ There is still onward work in these areas , and the next possible launch opportunity is still being discussed . ”
NASA has previouslyemphasized its focal point on the safe of its astronautsas a top precedence , preferring to detain commission to treat matter rather than risk the well - being of crew member . However , the previous delay will for certain examine to be an embarrassment for Boeing , which has had not only ongoing issue with its Starliner space vehicle , but is also under scrutiny regarding the condom of its airplanes following aseries of serious outlet .
