Military Space News
ROCKET SCIENCE
First crewed flight of Boeing spacecraft delayed again
Rollout of Starliner. Photo by C&J Images
First crewed flight of Boeing spacecraft delayed again
by AFP Staff Writers
Washington (AFP) May 14, 2024
The first crewed launch of Boeing's Starliner spaceship to the International Space Station has been postponed again due to a technical snafu, the company said Tuesday.

The next attempt will be May 21 at the earliest.

The high-stakes mission was already called off last week, with two astronauts strapped in and ready to fly.

That was because engineers detected a problem with a valve that regulates liquid oxygen pressure on the Atlas V rocket meant to propel Starliner into orbit.

The valve was replaced and a new launch date of May 17 was set.

But a new problem emerged -- a small helium leak in a part of Starliner called the service module, which holds instruments used to control and operate the spacecraft.

Engineers need to carry out tests as they try to fix the problem, Boeing said in a statement.

"Helium is used in spacecraft thruster systems to allow the thrusters to fire and is not combustible or toxic," Boeing said.

Liftoff from Florida is now scheduled for 4:43 pm (2043 GMT) on May 21.

Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams have returned to Houston as teams work to fix this new glitch and will return to Florida over the next few days, Boeing said.

The mission has already faced years of delays and comes at a challenging time for Boeing, as a safety crisis engulfs the century-old aerospace titan's commercial aviation arm.

NASA is banking on Starliner's success in order to achieve its goal of certifying a second commercial vehicle to carry crews to the International Space Station.

Elon Musk's SpaceX achieved the feat with its Dragon capsule in 2020, ending a nearly decade-long dependence on Russian rockets following the end of the Space Shuttle program.

Related Links
Rocket Science News at Space-Travel.Com

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
ROCKET SCIENCE
SpinLaunch appoints new CEO to drive next phase
Los Angeles CA (SPX) May 11, 2024
SpinLaunch, known for enabling rapid and sustainable low-cost access to space, has announced a leadership shift to steer the company's further expansion and commercialization of its innovative space technologies. The company's Board of Directors has named David Wrenn, previously Chief Operating Officer, as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. This follows the departure of Jonathan Yaney, the founder and former CEO, who has fully endorsed Wrenn's promotion. "This leadership change ... read more

ROCKET SCIENCE
Pac-3 MSE launched With Aegis Weapon System hits target

Japan, US sign agreement to develop hypersonic missile interceptor

Terran Orbital Chosen by Lockheed Martin for SDA Satellite Buses Contract

Canada tops up German fund for Ukraine air defenses

ROCKET SCIENCE
US Army awards $756M contract to Lockheed Martin for hypersonic weapons

Three killed, 8 wounded by strike on restaurant in Donetsk: official

Pyongyang to deploy new multiple rocket launcher this year: KCNA

1 killed, six injured as Russian airborne attack hits Ukraine energy infrastructure

ROCKET SCIENCE
Elsight boosts Indago 4 UAS with advanced BVLOS communications

Pyka and SNC team up to deliver electric cargo drones to the Defense Department

Amnesty says Somali strikes with Turkish drones killed civilians

Russia fires nine drones at Ukraine, damages hotel in city of Mykolaiv

ROCKET SCIENCE
EchoStar secures contract to provide 5G to US Navy and agencies

China launches communication test satellites into medium-Earth orbit

CesiumAstro provides multi-beam Ka-band payloads for Rocket Lab under Tranche 2 contract

Rocket Lab Advances SDA Satellite Program with New Subcontractor Partnerships

ROCKET SCIENCE
Putin says better weapons key to Ukraine victory

Biden admin plans $1 bn in new arms for Israel despite Rafah threat

US tells Ukraine 'aid on its way' as Russia claims advances

US giving Ukraine $400 mn in new military aid

ROCKET SCIENCE
Military spending pushes Russian economic growth up

Colombia replaces scandal-plagued army chief

China sanctions US firms over arms sales to Taiwan

Despite Western pressure, China in no hurry to reduce Russia support

ROCKET SCIENCE
'Nice for them': White House jokes about Putin, Xi meeting

A pariah in the West, Putin finds fans in Beijing

Xi, Putin hail ties as 'stabilising' force in chaotic world

China says made 'stern representations' to US over Blinken congratulating Taiwan's Lai

ROCKET SCIENCE
Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2026 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.