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Boeing is still hoping to reach a launch date in August for its Starliner capsule amid persistent technical issues with the spacecraft.
Last week, Boeing delayed a crucial unmanned test launch for its Starliner astronaut taxi after engineers detected an issue with the vehicle’s propulsion system valves not opening as expected during pre-engine checks. launch. Now the company has revealed that it has found issues with 13 valves, and since the issue was first detected on August 3, mission teams have restored functionality to seven of those 13 valves, according to one. boeing statement. They added that they were working on an August launch for the vehicle.
“Boeing is working on a systematic plan to open the affected valves, demonstrate reproducible system performance and verify the root cause of the problem before returning Starliner to the launch pad for its Orbital Flight Test-2 mission,” wrote officials at the company in the same press release. , adding that Boeing “is also evaluating several launch opportunities in August and will work with NASA and the United Launch Alliance to confirm those dates when the spacecraft is ready.”
Related: Everything You Need To Know About Boeing’s Starliner OFT-2 Mission
“Boeing has carried out physical inspections and chemical sampling on the exterior of a number of affected valves, which showed no signs of damage or external corrosion,” officials wrote in the statement. “The test teams are now applying mechanical, electrical and thermal techniques to induce the valves to open. Seven of the 13 valves are now functioning as intended, with the inspection and repair of the remaining affected valves to be completed in the coming days. . “
After engineers initially detected the valve problem on August 3, the company eventually hoped to fix it in time for an August 4 launch. However, on August 4, Boeing announced that the launch would be further delayed while engineers made sure Starliner was ready.
Boeing prepares Starliner to fly on Orbital Flight Test-2 (OFT-2), an unmanned test flight to and from the International space station. Starliner is Boeing’s crew capsule that he developed with support from NASA’s Commercial Crew Program to transport astronauts to and from orbit as EspaceX made with his Crew Dragon ship.
As part of the OFT-2 mission, Starliner will launch aboard a ULA Atlas V rocket, reunite and dock with the space station, unload cargo and stay docked for 5-10 days, then return home to land with the help of parachute.
This is Starliner’s second attempt at an unmanned test flight. The flight of the first OFT mission in December 2019 did not go as planned and Starliner was unable to connect to the space station, instead making an early landing on Earth.
Following the success of OFT-2, Boeing plans to begin launching NASA astronauts aboard the vehicle. Before the recent delays, Boeing had said it would start sending crewed launches by the end of this year; the company has not commented on whether that goal still stands.
Email Chelsea Gohd at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter @chelsea_gohd. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook.
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