Medical and Hospital News
ROCKET SCIENCE
First crewed flight of Boeing spacecraft delayed again
Rollout of Starliner. Photo by C&J Images
First crewed flight of Boeing spacecraft delayed again
by AFP Staff Writers
Washington (AFP) May 14, 2024

The first crewed launch of Boeing's Starliner spaceship to the International Space Station has been postponed again due to a technical snafu, the company said Tuesday.

The next attempt will be May 21 at the earliest.

The high-stakes mission was already called off last week, with two astronauts strapped in and ready to fly.

That was because engineers detected a problem with a valve that regulates liquid oxygen pressure on the Atlas V rocket meant to propel Starliner into orbit.

The valve was replaced and a new launch date of May 17 was set.

But a new problem emerged -- a small helium leak in a part of Starliner called the service module, which holds instruments used to control and operate the spacecraft.

Engineers need to carry out tests as they try to fix the problem, Boeing said in a statement.

"Helium is used in spacecraft thruster systems to allow the thrusters to fire and is not combustible or toxic," Boeing said.

Liftoff from Florida is now scheduled for 4:43 pm (2043 GMT) on May 21.

Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams have returned to Houston as teams work to fix this new glitch and will return to Florida over the next few days, Boeing said.

The mission has already faced years of delays and comes at a challenging time for Boeing, as a safety crisis engulfs the century-old aerospace titan's commercial aviation arm.

NASA is banking on Starliner's success in order to achieve its goal of certifying a second commercial vehicle to carry crews to the International Space Station.

Elon Musk's SpaceX achieved the feat with its Dragon capsule in 2020, ending a nearly decade-long dependence on Russian rockets following the end of the Space Shuttle program.

Related Links
Rocket Science News at Space-Travel.Com

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
ROCKET SCIENCE
SpinLaunch appoints new CEO to drive next phase
Los Angeles CA (SPX) May 11, 2024
SpinLaunch, known for enabling rapid and sustainable low-cost access to space, has announced a leadership shift to steer the company's further expansion and commercialization of its innovative space technologies. The company's Board of Directors has named David Wrenn, previously Chief Operating Officer, as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. This follows the departure of Jonathan Yaney, the founder and former CEO, who has fully endorsed Wrenn's promotion. "This leadership change ... read more

ROCKET SCIENCE
US military sees 500 tons of aid soon into Gaza via pier

Israel PM says no humanitarian crisis as hundreds of thousands flee Rafah

Brazil mayor's mammoth task: rebuild from floods, prevent more

EU urges Big Tech to be 'vigilant' after Slovak PM shooting

ROCKET SCIENCE
Space Tech Firm Xona Secures $19M for Enhanced Satellite Navigation Network

Magic Lane secures 3 million euro to enhance location intelligence capabilities

China Encourages BeiDou System Integration in Electric Bicycles

Estonia summons Russian envoy over GPS jamming

ROCKET SCIENCE
Can we rid artificial intelligence of bias?

Amazonian chief at UN to combat traditional knowledge piracy

In US national parks, a historical wound begins to heal

A fragment of human brain, mapped

ROCKET SCIENCE
Endangered Iberian lynx population doubles in three years

Howler monkeys drop dead during Mexico heat wave

In Darwin's footsteps: scientists recreate historic 1830s expedition

Illegal wildlife trafficking persistently pervasive: UN

ROCKET SCIENCE
Hotter, drier, sicker? How a changing planet drives disease

Latin America, Caribbean set for record dengue season

US conspiracy theorists monetize 'Disease X' misinformation

ROCKET SCIENCE
Taiwan inauguration barely makes ripples across strait in China

Beijing says Taiwan politics don't change 'fact' there is 'one China'

Hong Kong demands online platforms remove banned protest song

China hospital attack leaves two dead, 21 wounded

ROCKET SCIENCE
Jordan says foils foreign state-backed arms smuggling

Colombian rebels holding Amazon hostage in peace talks

Hong Kong customs makes largest-ever gold smuggling bust

Indian navy says intercepted hijacked vessel near Somalia

ROCKET SCIENCE
Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.