Starliner’s first crew mission will get pushed again but once more, this time with no new launch date

The first crewed flight of Boeing’s Starliner capsule nonetheless hasn’t launched greater than two weeks after its initially scheduled liftoff date, and as of proper now, there’s no telling when it is going to. In a press release emailed to members of the press late on Tuesday, NASA introduced it was calling off the launch try set for Could 25. Starliner’s maiden crew mission has already been rescheduled a number of occasions, however on this occasion, NASA hasn’t set a brand new launch date. “NASA will share extra particulars as soon as we’ve got a clearer path ahead,” the company mentioned in its assertion, per SpaceNews.

The primary try initially of the month was scrubbed as a result of discovery of a defective oxygen aid valve on the ULA Atlas V rocket carrying Starliner. Engineers changed the valve and Starliner was slated to fly later that week, however that try was postponed, too. On Could 14, NASA revealed that engineers have been working to resolve a helium leak within the spacecraft’s propulsion system. In an replace a number of days later, NASA mentioned the leak was “secure and wouldn’t pose a threat at that stage throughout the flight.” A brand new focused launch date was set at the moment and in the end rescheduled as soon as extra, but it surely appears the issues are ongoing.

“The group has been in conferences for 2 consecutive days, assessing flight rationale, system efficiency and redundancy,” the company mentioned within the newest replace, in response to SpaceNews. “There may be nonetheless ahead work in these areas, and the following potential launch alternative continues to be being mentioned.” Delays have outlined Starliner’s growth up till this level, however since two astronauts — Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams — shall be on board for this mission, the stakes are particularly excessive; now is not the time to start out reducing corners.