Boeing Scrubbed, Delays Expected.

Boeing Starliner Launch Scrubbed Due to Valve Issue

Boeing's Starliner capsule has experienced another setback, with Monday's launch aborted due to a valve issue in the Atlas V rocket's upper stage. The rocket, built by United Launch Alliance (ULA), was slated to carry the Starliner and two NASA astronauts into orbit for a week-long mission to the International Space Station.

This launch would have been the final test flight for the Starliner before being approved for regular NASA missions. However, the detection of an anomaly in a pressure regulation valve caused mission managers to scrub the flight just two hours before liftoff.

In a statement, ULA said: "The team needs additional time to complete a full assessment."

NASA and Boeing also confirmed the postponement. The crew, veterans Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Sunita "Suni" Williams, have exited the capsule and returned to their quarters safely.

A new launch date is now targeted for Friday, pending further analysis and any necessary corrective actions.

The Starliner, designed by Boeing, is intended to carry up to four astronauts for NASA missions to and from the International Space Station. The company hopes to join SpaceX as one of two providers of routine commercial crew missions for the space agency.

This latest delay comes after previous issues with Starliner's development, including software problems encountered during an uncrewed test flight in 2019 that prevented a docking with the space station.

---

Sources/URLs:

• Boeing Starliner: https://www.boeing.com/space/starliner/launch/index.html
• United Launch Alliance: https://www.ulalaunch.com/rockets/atlas-v
• NASA Twitter: https://twitter.com/NASA/status/1787648693211910534
• Boeing Statement: https://starlinerupdates.com/first-launch-attempt-for-starliner-crew-flight-test-scrubbed/
• Crew Info: https://bit.ly/4dj1gs1
• Starliner Design: https://www.boeing.com/space/starliner#overview
• Sunita Williams: https://www.nasa.gov/people/sunita-l-williams/
• Butch Wilmore: https://www.nasa.gov/people/barry-butch-e-wilmore/
• Parachute System: https://blogs.nasa.gov/boeing-crew-flight-test/2024/01/12/starliner-parachute-system-upgrade-tested-before-crewed-flight/
• NASA Statement: https://blogs.nasa.gov/boeing-crew-flight-test/2024/05/01/we-are-ready-nasa-boeing-crew-counts-down-to-historical-launch/