Launch Of Boeing Space Capsule Carrying Sunita Williams Called Off, Two Hours Before Schedule
The launch of the Boeing Crew Space Transportation (CST)-100 Starliner spacecraft has been called off hours before the scheduled lift-off due to a?technical issue. The launch of Boeing's first crewed test flight, carrying Indian-origin astronaut Sunita?Williams and retired US Navy captain Barry Wilmore?has?been delayed by at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams could not resolve.
Called off two hours before launch
The two crew members had?been strapped?into their seats aboard the spacecraft for about an hour before?launch activities were suspended.
Also read:?Sirisha Bandla Will Be The Third Indian-Origin Woman To Go To Space
Its latest flight?was scrubbed?with less than two hours left in the countdown as the capsule stood poised for blastoff from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida atop an Atlas V rocket furnished by United Launch Alliance, a Boeing-Lockheed Martin joint venture.
The postponement, attributed to an issue with a valve in the Atlas rocket's second stage, was announced during a live NASA webcast.
Sunita Williams's third space mission
This?would have been the third space mission for 58-year-old Williams?who?started her astronaut candidate training in 19998. Her first space trip was on board the Discovery in December 2006. She was at the International Space Station (ISS) till April 2006 and carried out three spacewalks?during her time?there.
During her second space mission in 2012, Williams?spent 127 days in space. Between her two missions, Williams?has spent a cumulative total of 322 days in space.
Also read:?Space Almost Feels Like Home Now: Sunita Williams
Continued setback for Boeing
The setback is not the first for Boeing.?After signing a contract with NASA's Commercial Crew Programme to fly operational missions to and from the space station with Starliner in 2014, it has faced several delays.
In 2019, its debut uncrewed orbital flight mission did not go as planned.?The mission was completed?in 2022.
Further, its crewed mission has?been repeatedly delayed. Starliner?is aimed?at carrying?astronauts and cargo for future NASA missions to low Earth?orbit,?and beyond.
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