The primary crewed launch of Boeing’s Starliner capsule has as soon as once more been referred to as off, this time after an automated maintain was issued by the bottom launch sequencer lower than 4 minutes earlier than liftoff. As a launch commentator defined throughout NASA’s livestream, the bottom launch sequencer is the pc that takes over the terminal depend and basically launches the rocket. “The explanation for that maintain is just not identified right now,” he mentioned. Starliner’s subsequent probability to fly is tomorrow at 12:03PM ET, however whether or not it does will depend upon the end result of the workforce’s investigation into right this moment’s challenge.
In a quick replace, NASA mentioned the launch was scrubbed “because of the pc floor launch sequencer not loading into the right operational configuration after continuing into terminal depend.” Why this occurred, although, stays unclear. “The ULA workforce is working to grasp the trigger,” NASA mentioned.
It has been delay after delay for Starliner, which was initially alleged to take its first flight with astronauts on board again on Might 6. If it will possibly’t launch on Sunday, it’s going to produce other alternatives on June 5 and June 6. The mission, by which the craft will ship astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to the Worldwide Area Station for a quick keep earlier than bringing them again dwelling, is supposed to validate Starliner as a viable crew transportation system.