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The first crewed launch of Boeing’s Starliner to the International Space Station is facing another delay due to a technical glitch, NASA announced Friday.
The launch was initially scheduled for Tuesday in Florida, but the launch has now been rescheduled for May 25 to address a helium leak linked to the service module atop the rocket, AFP reported.
Earlier this month, due to another technical glitch, the Starliner launch faced a last-minute postponement, leaving astronauts already stranded.
“The additional time allows teams to further assess the helium leak,” NASA said on its website.
Also read: NASA shares stunning image: Hubble telescope captures triple-star system 550 light years away
The two astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, will remain in Houston, Texas until the mission is ready.
This latest setback adds to the already long wait for the much-awaited mission, which has been plagued by years of delays. The timing couldn’t be more challenging for Boeing, as safety concerns swirl across its commercial aviation division, a stalwart of aerospace innovation for more than a century.
Also read: 10 breathtaking NASA photos showing Earth in all its glory; From Shanghai city lights to a storm in the Arabian Sea, see photos
For NASA, the success of the Starliner mission is important in certifying a second commercial vehicle to carry crews to the International Space Station. SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, achieved this milestone with its Dragon capsule in 2020, effectively breaking its nearly decade-long reliance on Russian rockets following the conclusion of the Space Shuttle program.
(With inputs from AFP)
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Published: May 18, 2024, 08:17 am IST
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