NASA’s highly anticipated maiden crewed flight of its Boeing Starliner spacecraft has faced numerous delays and setbacks, pushing its launch date further and further away. Originally scheduled for May 6, the launch was scrubbed at the last minute due to an issue with the United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V rocket. This was a massive disappointment for NASA astronauts Bob Wilmore and Suni Williams, who had been strapped into their seats inside the Starliner just minutes before the launch was canceled.
Despite the setback, NASA remained committed to ensuring the safety of its astronauts and the spacecraft, announcing a revised targeted launch date of May 17. However, this date was also pushed back after engineers discovered a “small helium leak” on the Starliner spacecraft. This leak was traced to a flange on a single reaction control system thruster and necessitated additional time for engineering to assess and rectify the issue.
The delay was further extended when NASA announced on Friday that it would take additional time to work through spacecraft closeout processes and flight rationale. As a result, the launch is now targeted for no earlier than 3:09 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 25. Wilmore and Williams, who were still being quarantined in Houston, will fly back to Kennedy Space Center closer to the launch date.
NASA’s Starliner Spacecraft Faces Delays and Setbacks Before Maiden Crewed Flight
When the Starliner finally takes to the skies, it will carry Wilmore and Williams to the International Space Station, where they will spend about a week before returning to Earth in the spacecraft. A successful mission will pave the way for certification of the Starliner, allowing NASA to use it for crew rotation flights to and from the ISS. This will provide NASA with an additional transportation option alongside SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, which has been used for previous crewed missions to the ISS.
The Starliner’s maiden crewed flight has been years in the making, with NASA and Boeing working together to develop the spacecraft. The mission marks a significant milestone for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, which aims to provide safe and reliable transportation to low-Earth orbit. The program has been plagued by delays and setbacks, but the Starliner’s successful flight will be a major step forward in achieving this goal.
NASA will live stream the launch and early stages of the mission, allowing the public to witness this historic event. The agency’s decision to prioritize safety over schedule has been welcomed by many, as it underscores the importance of ensuring the safe return of astronauts to Earth. As the Starliner prepares to make its maiden crewed flight, there is a sense of excitement and anticipation among space enthusiasts and NASA fans alike. The spacecraft’s successful launch will mark a major step forward in the agency’s plans for future crewed missions to the ISS and beyond.
