NASA And Boeing Cancel Launch Starliner Plane To Orbit

Starliner aircraft failed to launch (photo: X @v_wyche)

NASA and Boeing have planned the launch of the Starliner aircraft very carefully. The plane was supposed to launch on Tuesday, May 7 at 09.34 WIB, but its launch was canceled. Reporting from The verge, the astronauts were already on board and ready to launch. However, at around 07.30 WIB, technicians realized that the second stage of the Atlas V rocket suffered damage to the oxygen release valve. With this breakdown, Starliner's launch was canceled so that the second stage of the rocket could be repaired. Starliners still had launch windows until Wednesday, May 8. It is not yet known whether technicians could repair the damage very quickly. This is not the first time the Starliner launch has been delayed. The manned plane has been delayed for years. The Boeing-owned aircraft was supposed to launch in May last year, but NASA canceled its delay due to technical problems. If the Starliner launch runs smoothly in the near future, the aircraft will carry NASA astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, exploring the orbit for a week. After exploring the orbit, Starliner will land with the help of parachutes and airbags.

After Starliner has successfully launched, docking, and landings on Earth, NASA will certify Starliner. The aircraft will be allowed to transport or repatriate NASA astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). With Starliner used as transportation to the ISS, Boeing will be SpaceX's rival. Since 2020, the company owned by Elon Musk has escorted NASA astronauts into space on various missions. This position could be replaced by Boeing.