Boeing's Starliner: Next problem fixed, new take-off attempt now on Wednesday
Three launch attempts have already had to be canceled, and those responsible want to try again on Wednesday. The most recent problem has already been resolved.
The Starliner on the launch pad
(Image: Boeing)
Two days after the recent aborted first manned launch attempt of the Boeing Starliner spacecraft, NASA is planning another attempt on Wednesday. The US space agency announced this and explained that since the abort, it has been working around the clock to find and fix the cause of the latest problem. It was determined that there was a problem with the power supply to a computer system on the ground. However, the housing with the defective unit could be removed and replaced and a full analysis is underway. Tests have shown that all the hardware is now functioning normally. With a 90 percent probability that the weather will be good, the spacecraft is now scheduled to take off on Wednesday at 16:52 CEST.
The Starliner was due to take off on Saturday evening after several cancellations in the weeks before. But this time, too, it didn't work out, and shortly before the launch date, the launch was canceled again. Due to the error in the computer system, the United Launch Alliance's Atlas V rocket could not take off with the Starliner, and the alternative date on Sunday could not be kept either. The Starliner was originally scheduled to take off with a crew for the first time on May 6, but a faulty oxygen valve put a spanner in the works. When this was fixed, a helium leak prevented the next take-off attempt. This was not plugged, but because it poses no risk to flight safety, the flight is to be launched anyway.
The latest delay is the latest in an ever-growing list. With the Starliner, Boeing has developed a spacecraft for manned space flights on behalf of NASA; the program ran parallel to the development of SpaceX's Crew Dragon for years. The first manned launch was originally planned for 2017, but this did not work out. Without a crew, the spacecraft took off for the first time in December 2019, but did not reach the International Space Station (ISS) as planned. A repeat mission was therefore scheduled, which was also delayed. The second launch was not successful until May 2022 when the ISS was reached. New technical problems then delayed the first flight with a crew once again.
The crew for the test flight consists of astronaut Suni Williams and astronaut Butch Wilmore. Both have been in quarantine since April, but have since been able to return home, where the regulations were less strict. Among other things, Wilmore has been mowing his lawn and Williams has been spending time with her dogs, according to NASA. When the two finally get underway, they will spend about a week supplementing ISS Expedition 71 and carrying out various tasks, mostly to further inspect the spacecraft. After their departure, they will also be responsible for temporarily controlling the Starliner manually before it returns to Earth autonomously. The spacecraft will land at a US military site in the west of the USA – there are several to choose from.
(mho)
