A Last Minute Cancellation
Boeing’s Starliner was supposed to take off and head to space on the evening of May 6. However, just two hours before the launch was supposed to happen, it was suddenly called off.
Source: NASA/Wikimedia Commons
This launch would have been the first crewed mission aboard Boeing’s Starliner. Before the cancellation, all signs indicated that it would likely be a successful launch, especially because the weather was clear.
Why the Starliner Launch Was Called Off
According to NASA and Boeing, the launch was nixed after they realized that there was some type of an issue with a valve attached to the Atlas V rocket.
Source: NASA/Wikimedia Commons
This rocket works to successfully launch the entire capsule into space. Now, they are looking at this valve issue, which appears on the rocket’s second stage near the upper area of the attached vehicle.
A Buzzing Sound
This issue was discovered after a buzzing sound was heard. These valves can make buzzing noises as they close and open quickly.
Source: NASA/Wikimedia Commons
While some of this buzzing is natural, too much of this noise could indicate that something is amiss — and that the valve could fail. Now, experts will try to better understand what’s wrong with this valve, and whether it needs to be replaced or not.
A Scrapped Milestone
Both NASA and Boeing had high hopes for this Starliner launch, as a successful take-off would’ve allowed the two to hit a major milestone.
Source: NASA/Wikimedia Commons
For years now, Boeing has been working on perfecting their Starliner spaceship to further integrate themselves into NASA’s work. Starliner’s launch would’ve been a huge moment for Boeing to successfully further their partnership with NASA.
A Spaceship With a Crew
Perhaps most notably, Starliner had two experienced NASA astronauts as a part of its crew: Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore. Both astronauts have already been aboard NASA space shuttles and are considered veterans.
Source: NASA/Wikimedia Commons
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson talked about Wilmore and Williams, saying, “They’re checking out a lot of the systems: the life support, the manual control. That’s why we put two test pilots on board — and of course, the résumés of Butch and Suni are extensive.”
A Historic Moment Scrubbed
The take-off of Boeing’s Starliner would have also been a historic moment, as it would’ve been only the sixth maiden voyage of a spacecraft with a crew in United States history.
Source: NASA/Wikimedia Commons
This crewed mission, before it was scrubbed, also would have made history as the first maiden voyage to include a woman astronaut.
Boeing vs SpaceX
This temporarily scrapped mission also would’ve pitted Boeing against SpaceX, NASA’s other frequent partner. Starliner was created with SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule in mind.
Source: NASA/SpaceX/Wikimedia Commons
SpaceX has been a few years ahead of Boeing and has already clinched a consistent NASA partnership. Boeing is still seeking for NASA to accept it as part of their Commercial Crew program, as they want to provide transport for astronauts in a routine way.
The International Space Station
SpaceX’s Crew Dragon and Boeing’s Starliner were created to better transport NASA astronauts to the International Space Station.
Source: NASA/Wikimedia Commons
Starliner, before its mission was canceled, had intended to take both astronauts aboard into orbit before eventually making its way to the International Space Station. Wilmore and Williams were then set to spend a week there. After a week, they would’ve gotten back on the Starliner to return home.
Boeing Problems
The valve that was a part of the Atlas V rocket was made by United Launch Alliance. However, this launch cancellation only further sheds light on some of the problems that Boeing has been having in the public for many months now.
Source: NASA/Wikimedia Commons
Boeing has been in the news consistently since the beginning of this year, thanks to various Boeing airline problems, as well as the fact that two of their whistleblowers have suddenly died.
The Safety of the Starliner
However, the process of the Starliner’s creation — and eventual launch — has been very meticulous, according to the vice president and the Starliner program manager at Boeing Mark Nappi.
Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
“We got through a pretty rigorous process to get here,” Nappi said. “And really where my source of confidence comes from is going through that process.”
A New Launch
Officials have stated that Boeing’s Starliner will launch soon after this recent delay. Once they figure out if the valve is working correctly, or if it needs to be replaced, they anticipate the spaceship’s take-off to occur.
Source: NASA/Wikimedia Commons
However, they haven’t officially revealed a new launch date yet. So far, officials have only claimed that it won’t happen before May 10.