Troubled aerospace giant Boeing will make another attempt to launch its first crew to the International Space Station aboard a Starliner spaceship on Saturday, following a previous scrubbed attempt just hours before liftoff.
After thorough checks by engineering teams, NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are set to launch atop a United Launch Alliance rocket at 12:25 pm (1625 GMT) from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Saturday. The weather conditions are currently highly favorable.
“We are excited for launch, and we have every confidence in this mission,” astronaut Mike Fincke, the backup crew member for the mission, stated in a press conference.
NASA is aiming to certify Boeing as a second commercial operator to transport crew to the space station, a task that Elon Musk’s SpaceX has been successfully carrying out since 2020.
Both Boeing and SpaceX received multi-billion-dollar contracts in 2014 to develop their crew capsules, following the retirement of the Space Shuttle program in 2011. This left the US dependent on Russian rockets for transportation temporarily.
Despite being heavily favored due to its long history, Boeing has faced numerous delays and safety concerns in its program over the years, resembling the challenges experienced by its commercial airline division.
Wilmore and Williams were all set for a launch on May 6 when a faulty rocket valve led to the cancellation of that attempt.
– Urine pump –
Subsequently, a small helium leak was discovered in one of the spacecraft’s thrusters. Instead of replacing the seal, NASA and Boeing officials deemed it safe to proceed with the flight without repairs.
Final checks on the leak will be conducted in the hours leading up to the launch.
A successful flight would help Boeing restore some of its reputation following a series of setbacks over the years. This includes a software bug and issues with flammable electrical tape being found in the cabin.
Additionally, the Urine Processor Assembly on the ISS experienced a failure this week, requiring the replacement of its pump. This mission will carry the necessary spare equipment, weighing around 150 pounds (70 kilograms).
To accommodate this equipment, two astronauts’ suitcases containing personal items had to be removed, meaning they will rely on backup supplies stored on the station.
If all goes as planned, the Starliner is expected to dock with the ISS on Sunday and stay for eight days for tests, including simulating emergency scenarios. It will then undock, reenter the atmosphere, and land in the western United States on June 10 using parachutes and airbags.
ia/mdl
