ULA Boeing Starliner Crewed Test Flight rescheduled for May 10 (Updated)

Update: The Boeing Starliner test is now targeted to launch no earlier than May 17. This new timeline came into play after ULA said to replace a pressure regulation valve on the liquid oxygen tank on the Atlas V upper stage. The rocket will go vertical on the launch pad on May 8 followed by the replacement procedure.

Original Story: United Launch Alliance (ULA) and Boeing rescheduled the launch of the Starliner spacecraft crewed flight test on May 10. The company had to scrub the flight test targeted yesterday, May 6.

ULA prevented the launch attempt due to an observation of a liquid oxygen self-regulating solenoid relief valve on the Centaur upper stage. The launch window will enable teams to complete data analysis on a pressure regulation valve on the liquid oxygen tank of the Atlas V rocket’s Centaur stage. The team will also examine whether it is required to replace the valve.

Boeing Starliner Spacecraft on ULA Atlas V Rocket (Image Source – Boeing)

The mission features two NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. The launch will take these two to the International Space Station, dock, and return to Earth.

These entered the spacecraft ahead of the scrub and exited the Starliner and the launch pad at Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. ULA also removed liquid oxygen and hydrogen from the Atlas V’s first and second stages.

UPDATE: Boeing, NASA and United Launch Alliance have made the decision to allow engineering teams to spend Tuesday, May 7, evaluating the data and the next launch opportunity will be no earlier than Friday, May 10. https://t.co/TVJ5Wm4bR4

— Boeing Space (@BoeingSpace) May 7, 2024

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