Starliner launch scrubbed: Sunita Williams’ space mission delayed due to Atlas rocket glitch

Veteran astronaut ready for third flight, but launch aborted hours before lift-off

Indian-American astronaut Sunita Williams’ historic return to space was put on hold on Tuesday after NASA and Boeing called off the launch due to a technical issue with the Atlas V rocket carrying the Starliner capsule.

Just hours before the scheduled liftoff, teams identified a malfunctioning oxygen relief valve in the rocket’s second stage. Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams were already suited up and inside the Starliner spacecraft when the launch was scrubbed. They safely exited the capsule and returned to crew quarters.

The cautious approach by NASA and launch provider United Launch Alliance (ULA) stems from the critical nature of this mission –  the first crewed flight for Starliner. While ULA boasts a perfect success record with cargo missions, this marks their maiden astronaut launch.

A revised launch window is now targeted for no earlier than Friday, May 10th. This delay allows engineers to analyse data and assess the faulty valve. Replacing the valve might be necessary, depending on the analysis.

The United States is currently in the process of certifying its second spacecraft capable of launching and safely returning humans to and from space. SpaceX’s Crew Dragon has been at the forefront of this commercial space endeavour thus far.

The Starliner spacecraft, known as Calypso, possesses the ability to operate autonomously or under manual control. It is anticipated to rendezvous and dock with the space station on Wednesday.