Rocket issue scrubs launch of Starliner crewed test flight
Controllers at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station made the tough call to scrub the first launch attempt of Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner crewed test flight, slated for May 6, citing a valve problem with the Atlas 5 rocket. The decision, announced just over two hours before the scheduled liftoff, was prompted by concerns over an oxygen relief valve on the rocket’s Centaur upper stage.
Engineering Challenge: Evaluating the Faulty Valve
At a press conference following the scrub, ULA CEO Tory Bruno shed light on the issue, revealing that the valve was emitting a discernible buzz at approximately 40 hertz. While the valve could be forced closed to stop the buzzing, this maneuver necessitated compliance with flight rules prohibiting changes to the rocket’s state while crewed. Engineers are now meticulously analyzing data to determine the extent of the valve’s fault, which will dictate the feasibility of a May 7 launch attempt.
Tight Schedule: Decisive Moments Approaching
With backup launch opportunities slated for May 7, 10, and 11, the pressure is on to assess the valve’s condition swiftly. Should the vibrations indicate full motions nearing the valve’s rated life of 200,000 cycles, replacement will be imperative, potentially pushing the launch to the following week. However, if the valve’s buzzing proves to be less than full motion, a May 7 liftoff remains a possibility, pending a recommendation no later than eight hours before the scheduled 10:11 p.m. Eastern liftoff time.
Astronauts Remain Resolute Amidst Setback
NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, poised for their journey aboard the Starliner, took the launch scrub in stride, demonstrating resilience in the face of adversity. Their preparedness echoes sentiments shared by Williams, who sought counsel from Bob Behnken, a veteran of SpaceX’s Crew Dragon Demo-2 mission, which encountered a weather-related scrub before ultimately launching successfully in 2020.
Mission Critical: Starliner’s Path to ISS Crew Rotation
The Crew Flight Test (CFT) serves as the crucial final test for the Starliner spacecraft before NASA certifies it for International Space Station (ISS) crew rotation missions. Following two uncrewed flights in December 2019 and May 2022, CFT represents the inaugural crewed mission for Starliner, heralding a new era in space exploration.
Flexibility Amidst Uncertainty: ISS Operations Adapt
While the delay poses challenges, there is flexibility within ISS operations to accommodate an extended launch window. Dana Weigel, NASA ISS program manager, reassured stakeholders of the intentional clearance of the summer schedule, providing ample runway for the CFT mission’s completion.
Stay tuned as the aerospace community awaits crucial updates on the Starliner crewed test flight, a testament to human ingenuity and perseverance in the pursuit of space exploration.