NASA had high hopes for the first crewed mission aboard Boeing’s Starliner capsule, only for the launch to be delayed due to an issue with a valve on the Atlas V rocket. The two NASA astronauts, Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, were ready for takeoff, but the launch controllers made the decision to scrub the launch.
The team is now gearing up for a second attempt on Tuesday night, with favorable weather conditions on the horizon. The Crew Flight Test is a crucial step in NASA’s evaluation of Boeing’s spacecraft for regular operations as part of the Commercial Crew Program. If successful, this could be the final test before full approval.
Williams is set to make history as the first woman to join such a mission, with both astronauts planning to spend about a week on the International Space Station. Boeing’s Starliner is designed to rival SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule in ferrying astronauts to the ISS, offering a new option for transportation to the station.
Despite years of delays and setbacks in the development of the Starliner, Boeing remains confident in the success of the mission. NASA selected Boeing to develop the spacecraft as part of its efforts to create new means of astronaut transportation to the ISS following the retirement of the shuttle program. The stakes are high for this mission, as the future of commercial crew transportation to the ISS hangs in the balance. Stay tuned for updates as the team prepares for takeoff on Tuesday night.
“Infuriatingly humble tv expert. Friendly student. Travel fanatic. Bacon fan. Unable to type with boxing gloves on.”