NASA Prepares for Third Attempt to Launch Boeing Crewed Flight Test
NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test mission teams are gearing up for another Starliner launch attempt, currently scheduled for 10:52 a.m. EDT on Wednesday, June 5. With a faulty ground equipment power supply repaired, the launch will take place from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. This mission, lasting approximately one week, will see NASA astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Suni Williams aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft heading to the International Space Station (ISS).
The initial launch attempt on Saturday June 1 was scrubbed when a computer, known as a Ground Launch Sequencer, detected issues with a redundant system and automatically held the countdown. Because the launch window required an “instantaneous” launch, the launch attempt had to be abandoned for the day. Technicians and engineers from United Launch Alliance (ULA) worked overnight and throughout Sunday to diagnose and address the problem. The ULA team pinpointed the issue to a single ground power supply within one of the three redundant chassis that supply power to a subset of computer cards. These cards control various system functions, including the critical stable replenishment topping valves for the Centaur upper stage. All three chassis must be operational to proceed with the launch countdown’s terminal phase, ensuring the crew’s safety.
On Sunday, the faulty chassis was removed, visually inspected, and replaced with a spare. No physical damage was detected during the inspection. ULA conducted a thorough functional checkout of the new chassis and the associated cards, confirming that all hardware was performing as expected. A full failure analysis of the defective power unit is planned to determine the root cause of the malfunction.
Mission managers have now set the next launch attempt for June 5. The U.S. Space Force’s 45th Weather Squadron forecasts a 90% chance of favorable weather conditions, with the cumulus cloud rule being the primary concern. If necessary, a backup launch opportunity is available at 10:29 a.m. on Thursday, June 6.
Astronauts Wilmore and Williams remain in quarantine at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. They will continue to participate in pilot proficiency training and other preparatory activities leading up to the launch. This mission marks a significant milestone as they will be the first crew to launch aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, a key component of NASA’s commercial crew program.
For more information and updates on NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test, you can follow the mission blog, the Commercial Crew blog, @commercial_crew on Twitter, and Commercial Crew on Facebook.
