Kennedy Space Center in Florida faced a setback on Saturday as the countdown clock ticked down to less than four minutes before a planned launch of two NASA astronauts aboard Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft. The mission managers decided to delay the launch to Wednesday at 10:52 a.m. following an issue identified by United Launch Alliance.
This marked the second unsuccessful launch attempt for astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams, who had previously been scheduled for liftoff on May 6. Despite the disappointment, NASA’s Commercial Crew Program manager Steve Stich remained optimistic, acknowledging the unpredictable nature of spaceflight.
During the most recent countdown, just 3 minutes and 50 seconds before liftoff, a hold was called due to a computerized ground launch sequencer failing to load properly, forcing the astronauts to return to crew quarters at Kennedy Space Center. The technical glitch originated from one of three ULA computers at the launch pad, hindering the confirmation process before launch.
Teams worked to address the issue, but the fix required removing fuel from the rocket and clearing any hazardous gas before inspecting the faulty computer. Despite challenges during the countdown, including temporary shutdowns of the astronauts’ spacesuit fans and data reading issues, the mission remains a priority for NASA.
The Crew Flight Test mission aims to test manual backup navigation systems and life support systems aboard the spacecraft, in addition to demonstrating its capabilities as a lifeboat while docked at the International Space Station. The successful completion of this mission is crucial for NASA to certify the Starliner and kickstart regular crew missions to the ISS.
Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner faces competition from SpaceX, which has been the primary U.S.-based provider for human spaceflight since launching crewed missions in 2020. SpaceX’s success has put pressure on Boeing to deliver a reliable alternative for transporting astronauts to and from the ISS.
As NASA continues to reduce its reliance on Russian Soyuz launches, advancements in commercial crew programs by companies like Boeing and SpaceX are instrumental in maintaining human presence in space. Despite setbacks, the ongoing efforts to improve space travel technology highlight the resilience and determination of the aerospace industry.