Boeing Starliner's First Crewed Mission Scrubbed After Multiple Delays, Setbacks

The long-awaited launch of the first crewed mission of the Boeing Starliner spacecraft faced a setback as test pilots Sunita "Suni" Williams and Barry "Butch" Wilmore experienced a delay on Saturday. The launch, which was scheduled to take place from the Space Launch Complex-41 in Florida at 12:25 p.m. EDT, was scrubbed in the afternoon. The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket was primed to carry the Starliner into space.

Technical Hold

Just before the scheduled launch time, all systems were "go," but an automatic hold was instigated by a flight sequencing computer. Although no specific details were disclosed, this delay interrupted the anticipated liftoff.

Technical Glitch

Earlier in the day, a technical issue arose when teams identified a loss of data from ground valves responsible for replenishing the liquid oxygen and hydrogen to the second stage of the Atlas V rocket. As a result, the hatch was unable to close for approximately 45 minutes. The countdown was able to resume after a redundant system was utilized to rectify the problem.

Future Prospects

Once launched, the Boeing Starliner spacecraft, carrying NASA test pilots Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, is expected to embark on a 10-day mission to the International Space Station. During their stay at the ISS, the crew will conduct vital tests to assess the spacecraft's capabilities in supporting human life in space. Subsequently, the Starliner will journey back to Earth and is set to land in the U.S. desert Southwest. Notably, the Starliner is designed with a service life of 10 launches and landings.

Potential Certification

While this delay is a setback, the successful completion of the 10-day test flight is crucial for NASA to consider certifying the Starliner for future use. Earlier test launches had encountered delays due to various issues such as the use of flammable tape in the Starliner capsule, a buzzing noise detected on the launch pad, a defective pressure valve on an upper-stage oxygen tank, and a helium leak in the service module. Overcoming these challenges is imperative for the certification of the spacecraft.