Boeing’s inaugural astronaut launch, scheduled to send Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to the International Space Station for a weeklong mission, has been postponed indefinitely due to a technical issue with the Atlas V rocket’s oxygen pressure-relief valve. The issue emerged during the final countdown, just two hours before the planned liftoff, prompting NASA to halt the launch and evacuate the Starliner capsule’s two test pilots. According to United Launch Alliance CEO Tory Bruno, the valve exhibited signs of premature wear, having potentially exceeded its designated lifetime cycle of 200,000 cycles. This has necessitated further evaluation by engineers to determine the extent of the valve’s deterioration. Depending on their findings, the launch team may opt to replace the valve on the launchpad or transport the rocket back to its assembly building for a more comprehensive repair. The postponement of this mission is a setback for Boeing, which is eager to certify Starliner as a viable commercial crew vehicle alongside SpaceX’s Dragon capsule, which achieved this milestone in 2020. NASA’s commercial crew program manager, Steve Stich, acknowledged the disappointment but emphasized the importance of prioritizing safety and ensuring a successful launch when the vehicle is fully ready.
Boeing Delays Astronaut Launch Due to Rocket Valve Issue
