NASA has decided to once again postpone the first crewed launch of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. The new stop, the space agency writes in a statement, is not directly linked to the loss of helium in one of the service module’s attitude control thrusters, which appears stable, but rather to the need for an in-depth review of everything happened from the first launch attempt to today and the various processes followed. Additionally, engineers want to better evaluate the impact of helium loss in some “blowback scenarios.” We remind you that in recent weeks an intervention was carried out on the second stage of the ULA Atlas V launcher, to replace a faulty valve.
At stake, we read between the lines of the press release, is the certification for human flight of the spacecraft: “It was important to take the time to understand all the complexities of each problem, including redundant capabilities of the Starliner propulsion system and any implications for our Interim Human Rating Certification” said Steve Stich, manager of the NASA Commercial Crew Program. “We will launch Butch and Suni on this test mission only after the entire community reviews the team’s progress and rationale for the flight during the next Delta Agency Flight Test Readiness Review“.
At the moment there is still no precise date for the next launch attempt. After canceling the launch on May 25th, the NASA, Boeing and ULA teams have for the moment indicated June 1st at 6.25pm Italian time as a possible first date, with further possible windows on the 2nd, 5th and 6th. June. Further details will be announced at a press conference on May 24.
