Boeing’s highly anticipated Starliner launch, which was scheduled for tonight, has been postponed due to an issue with the oxygen relief valve on the Atlas V rocket’s upper stage. This last-minute scrub was done “out of an abundance of caution” to ensure the safety of the mission. The delay is a setback for Boeing, which has already faced years of delays and cost overruns, amounting to over $1 billion. However, the company is determined to resolve the issue and proceed with the launch.
Despite the setback, there are backup launch opportunities on May 7, 10, and 11. Once the issue with the upper stage is resolved, the United Launch Alliance Atlas V will carry the CST-100 Starliner capsule to orbit, along with the two astronauts on board. This mission is significant as it marks the first time ULA’s Atlas rocket will carry crew, highlighting its impressive success rate of 100% across 99 missions.
The astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Sunny Williams, will dock at the International Space Station (ISS) on Thursday at the earliest and remain there for at least eight days. They will then return to Earth in the Starliner capsule, no earlier than May 16. If all goes according to plan, Boeing will finally be able to certify its Starliner for human transportation and fulfill its $4.2 billion NASA astronaut taxi contract.
It is worth noting that Boeing’s rival in the Commercial Crew Program, SpaceX, has already been transporting astronauts to and from the ISS since 2020 with its Crew Dragon capsule. SpaceX’s success in human transportation services has surpassed Boeing’s, with over a dozen crewed missions and private flights under its belt.
Boeing has faced numerous technical challenges with its Starliner program. In 2019, the company attempted an uncrewed mission to the ISS, which failed due to technical issues. Subsequent problems further delayed their next attempt, finally achieving success in 2022. These setbacks have resulted in significant financial losses, with Boeing accumulating $1.5 billion in charges related to the long-delayed program.
Despite these challenges, both NASA and Boeing remain committed to the mission and the safety of the two astronauts. NASA’s associate administrator Jim Free emphasized their dedication to the mission, stating, “The lives of our crew members, Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, are at stake. We don’t take that lightly at all.”
For NASA, a successful mission is crucial as it brings the agency one step closer to having two operational transportation providers, ensuring critical redundancy in the Commercial Crew program. As part of Boeing’s contract, the company is responsible for six astronaut missions, and the success of this mission is vital to fulfilling those obligations.
Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, couldn’t resist commenting on the delayed Starliner launch. Taking to his own social media platform, X, Musk pointed out the stark difference in development timelines between Boeing and SpaceX. Despite Boeing receiving $4.2 billion compared to SpaceX’s $2.6 billion, SpaceX managed to finish four years ahead. Musk attributed this discrepancy to what he referred to as “too many non-technical managers at Boeing.”
In conclusion, while Boeing faces another delay with its Starliner launch, the company remains determined to resolve the issue and proceed with its mission to transport astronauts to the ISS. The setback highlights the challenges Boeing has faced throughout the development of its astronaut capsule. Meanwhile, SpaceX has emerged as a leader in human transportation services, surpassing Boeing’s achievements in the Commercial Crew Program. Nonetheless, both NASA and Boeing are committed to the success of the mission and the safety of the astronauts involved.
