Boeing delays first manned launch of spacecraft after ‘buzzing’ noise
The launch from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida was called off two hours before lift-off – Terry Renna
Boeing has delayed its first manned test flight to the International Space Station after a “buzzing” noise was heard on the spacecraft.
The Atlas V rocket was set to travel from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida when it was called off two hours before lift-off.
Tory Bruno, chief executive of United Launch Alliance that built the rocket, said a problem had been found with the oxygen valve.
He said the valve, which controls fuel pressure in the rocket stage responsible for pushing Starliner toward orbit, had been “buzzing” audibly in a way the company had noticed before other non-crewed missions.
Launch officials decided to delay the countdown under more sensitive rules for an astronaut mission, with the launch now expected to take place no earlier than Friday, Nasa said.
The flight would have been Boeing’s first to send a crew to the International Space Station – Joe Raedle/Getty Images North America
Boeing’s mission to the space station has been delayed for several years because of trouble with its spacecraft’s development.
A commentator on the livestream for Nasa said that discovering the problem now was a “win” because “the last thing you want to do is deal with that in space”.
If their next planned launch is successful, Boeing will potentially become the second private firm to provide crew transportation to and from the International Space Station, along with Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
However, it would come amid a torrid few years at the firm that have seen its work culture questioned following a string of disasters.
On Tuesday the Federal Aviation Administration announced an investigation into the company after the revelation that they falsified inspection records for some of its 787 Dreamliner aircrafts that were at the centre of two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019.
Earlier this year, the door panel of one Boeing 737 jet blew out mid-flight leading to the inspection of other 737 aircrafts and the discovery of more faulty door plugs and loose bolts.
Other recent mishaps have included stuck rudder pedals, a tyre falling off shortly after take-off, a sudden drop mid-air from a technical error, a fuel leak, and a missing external panel.
More serious incidents include two fatal Boeing 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019 which killed 346 people.
On March 25, Dave Calhoun, Boeing’s chief executive, announced that he would step down by the end of the year over its safety and financial woes.
Boeing whistleblowers
Just last week it was announced that a second whistleblower in the case against Boeing died “suddenly” in Oklahoma.
Joshua Deam, who warned of manufacturing defects in the 737 Max planes, died following an infection caused after developing pneumonia.
Two months ago his colleague John Barnett was found dead in a vehicle in a hotel car park, having suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Mr Barnett was due to testify in a lawsuit against the aircraft company not long after his death.
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