Boeing has canceled the first astronaut launch, which was to take Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to the International Space Station (ISS) for a week. The launch was canceled due to a valve problem on the rocket. The two NASA test pilots had just strapped into Boeing's Starliner capsule for a flight to the ISS when the countdown was halted, just two hours before the scheduled launch.
NASA also took to Our astronauts have left Starliner and will return to crew quarters.”
Tory Bruno, CEO of United Launch Alliance, said an oxygen pressure relief valve on the upper stage of the company's Atlas rocket began fluttering open and closed, causing a loud hum.
Bruno explained that the valve may have exceeded its 200,000 cycle lifespan, meaning it would need to be replaced, delaying the launch until next week. However, he added that if engineers can quickly confirm that the valve is still within operational limit, the launch team could attempt another launch as soon as Tuesday evening.
He added: “Engineers will now work through the night to determine the extent of deterioration and decide whether to reinstall the same part on the launch pad, or drive the rocket back to the assembly building to fit a new valve to install.” on a successful test for Starliner so it can certify a second commercial vehicle to transport crews to the ISS. In 2020, Elon Musk's SpaceX achieved this milestone with the help of its Dragon capsule, ending nearly a decade of post-Space dependence on Russian rockets. Shuttle program was discontinued.
Speaking about today's incident, Steve Stich, NASA's commercial crew program manager, acknowledged that it was a difficult task. “We're taking it one step at a time, and we're going to launch when we're ready and fly when it's safe to do so,” Stich told reporters. Associate PresS.
(With input from Associated Press, Reuters)
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Published: May 7, 2024 10:28 IST