NASA postpones its next manned launch

The space agency said Tuesday that it might postpone SpaceX’s four-person flight from this month to next. It is now scheduled for Sept. 24 on the earliest. Officials said that may give them more time to research Engine and leak problems which hit Boeing’s Starliner capsule after its launch in June, it’s the primary time with a crew on board.

Tuesday was the Two-month point within the space station for Starliner test pilots, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williamswho ought to be back in mid-June. NASA is considering all options for the return of the 2 experienced astronauts, including a flight home in a SpaceX capsule.

“NASA and Boeing continue to evaluate the spacecraft’s operational readiness, and no decisions have been made regarding Starliner’s return,” NASA said in an announcement. More details were expected at a press conference scheduled for Wednesday.

There are only two docking slots for US astronaut capsules on the space station, and each are currently occupied. So one could have to be vacated before the following SpaceX crew can arrive. Russia has its own parking spaces for its Soyuz capsules.

The latest setback signifies that the 4 astronauts who flew into space with SpaceX in March also face an extended mission than planned.

In recent weeks, Boeing has been conducting engine tests each on the bottom and in space to raised understand why five engines failed before the Starliner arrived on the space station on June 6. All but one have now returned to working order. In addition, helium leaks have been identified within the capsule’s propulsion system.

Citing the tests, the corporate said late last week: “Boeing remains confident in the Starliner spacecraft and its ability to return safely with a crew.”

Boeing and SpaceX were at the highest of NASA’s list to move astronauts to and from the space station after the shuttles were retired in 2011. NASA signed multi-billion dollar contracts with each corporations to make sure they might have a backup solution in case an accident caused either company to fail.

SpaceX launched its first crew in 2020; the upcoming flight might be the tenth astronaut flight for NASA. Some private crews have also been sent into orbit.

Boeing has struggled with quite a few Starliner problems through the years. The company needed to launch an empty Starliner twice before it could hire a crew. The first flight test needed to be repeated due to faulty software and other problems. The delays have cost the corporate greater than a billion dollars.