Boeing Starliner human test flight now targeted for June 5

NASA, Boeing, and United Launch Alliance (ULA) are targeting no earlier than 10:52 a.m. EDT Wednesday, June 5 to launch the Boeing Starliner human test flight to the International Space Station.

This new date comes after the flight scrubbed from the June 1st attempt a few minutes prior to liftoff. NASA said that the ULA Launch team had identified an issue with a single ground power supply during the countdown which caused the scrub.

This system provides power to a subset of computer cards which controls different system features including the card for stable replenishment topping valves for the Centaur upper stage. All three of these chassis are required to enter the terminal phase of the launch countdown to ensure crew safety.

Following the scrub, engineers removed the faulty ground power unit and found no physical damage. Involved partners will conduct a full failure review of the power unit to spot more issues. ULA on the other hand completed functional checkouts for new chassis, cards, and all hardware.

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

Backdrop

NASA, ULA, and Boeing are attempting to launch Boeing’s first human spacecraft – Starliner, and send it to the space station for a week-long mission. NASA Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams have opted for this mission, the first crew who will board the spacecraft. Despite having such veteran players, the trio continues to face issues in launch vehicles, spacecraft, and ground systems.

On May 6, Boeing Starliner attempted the first liftoff and decided to scrub two hours before the liftoff. It was due to a speculative malfunction in the liquid oxygen tank of the ULA Atlas V launch vehicle’s Centaur upper stage. Since then, the Starliner kept searching for a new launch attempt but was delayed repeatedly.

Boeing Starliner spacecraft will launch from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The weather is predicted 90% favorable to this mission. There’s a backup launch opportunity available at 10:29 a.m. Thursday, June 6.

(source)