CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla – NASA faced another setback in their mission to launch the first crewed flight into space on Boeing’s Starliner, as Saturday’s launch was scrapped moments before liftoff. The agency cited technical issues with the ground launch sequencer as the reason for the delay.
The United Launch Alliance, responsible for manufacturing and operating the rockets for these missions, is currently investigating the root cause of the problem. NASA announced that they would provide an update on the rescheduled launch date, with potential opportunities on June 5 and June 6.
Tory Bruno, CEO of the United Launch Alliance, assured that they have all the necessary spare parts to address the issue promptly. The next window for launch attempts is set for Wednesday and Thursday, depending on the resolution of the technical glitch.
The Starliner, designed to carry a crew of seven, was slated to embark on a journey from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station to the International Space Station. For this trial run, only two NASA astronauts, Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams, were assigned to the mission.
The astronauts are expected to spend a week aboard the ISS, assessing the spacecraft’s performance and capabilities. Upon return, the Starliner will utilize parachutes and an airbag system for a landing in the western United States.
If successful, NASA could greenlight the Starliner for regular missions to the ISS, providing an alternative to SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft. The Commercial Crew Program aims to leverage American technology for ISS missions in preparation for future endeavors to the moon and Mars.
The delayed launch on Saturday was the latest in a series of setbacks for the Starliner program. Previous attempts were postponed due to technical issues with the rocket and spacecraft components, leading to financial losses for Boeing.
NASA’s partnership with Boeing highlights the challenges and complexities of space exploration, underscoring the importance of rigorous testing and preparation for crewed missions beyond Earth’s atmosphere.