Starliner capsule set for next launch attempt this week as Boeing rebuilds reputation


Sarwat Nasir
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Boeing’s much anticipated first manned flight of the Starliner CST-100 capsule hit another setback on Tuesday due to a technical issue with the rocket meant to carry the craft into space.

The launch was cancelled about two hours before lift-off after a faulty oxygen relief valve was discovered in the Atlas V rocket built by United Launch Alliance, a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed.

On-board were two Nasa astronauts who were set for a two-week stay on the International Space Station, with the mission expected to show that the capsule was safe and ready for commercial operations.

Now, we'll take the next day or so to look at the data and to recommend the next course of action
Kenneth Bowersox,
Nasa's Space Operations Mission Directorate

The mission is pivotal for Boeing as it seeks to rebuild its reputation after two crashes involving 737 Max 8 jets and a mid-flight door panel blowout on a 737 Max 9 jet earlier this year.

With the Starliner project, the plane-maker aims to turn the page and restore faith in its engineering prowess.

United Launch Alliance has now set Friday as its target launch date.

Dana Weigel, ISS programme manager at US space agency Nasa, told a media briefing after the mission was scrubbed that Boeing had “plenty of time to fly”.

“With all of the mission prep and then the final scrub call … we're not in a rush to fly from a station standpoint,” she said.

“We did clear our summer schedule intentionally to give us plenty of runway for the CFT mission.”

Multibillion dollar Nasa contract

Nasa awarded Boeing with a $4.2 billion contract under its Commercial Crew Programme, which aims to encourage companies to develop spacecraft that can deliver astronauts into space.

However, the development of the Starliner CST-100 has been plagued with delays because of various technical issues over the past decade.

Elon Musk's SpaceX, also part of the Commercial Crew Programme, has dominated the lucrative business and delivered eight crews to the ISS on behalf of Nasa since 2020.

Even though Boeing lags behind SpaceX, a second ride to the space station would still be welcomed by Nasa as it would increase the space agency's access to the ISS.

It would also reduce Nasa's dependence on a single spacecraft for missions, which would help in case one is grounded due to technical reasons.

Boeing completed an unmanned test flight in 2022 when a Starliner capsule docked at the ISS and returned to Earth.

The launch came about three years after a failed test flight in 2019 that foiled the craft's ability to reach the station due to a software glitch.

'Proper action' taken

Kenneth Bowersox, associate administrator of Nasa's Space Operations Mission Directorate, said delaying Tuesday's launch was the “proper action”.

He said the oxygen relief valve regulates the pressure in the upper stage of the rocket. Maintaining it is important for the engines to run properly and take the crew into orbit.

“We saw the self-regulating valve on the lock side had a bit of a buzz and so it was moving in a strange behaviour,” he said.

“The flight rules had been laid out for this flight ahead of time with the crew at the launch pad.

“The proper action was to take the scrub and United Launch Alliance team did a great job of assessing the data, talking through various options and put us into a scrub condition.

“Now, we'll take the next day or so to look at the data and to recommend the next course of action.”

Meet the crew

Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams at Cape Canaveral in Florida. Photo: AFP
Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams at Cape Canaveral in Florida. Photo: AFP

The astronauts selected by Nasa to test the capsule are Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore.

Ms Williams, a retired Navy captain, has logged 322 days in space and completed seven spacewalks totalling 50 hours and 40 minutes.

Mr Wilmore is a US Navy captain who has spent a total of 178 days in space. He was selected as an astronaut in 2000.

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The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

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Getting there
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Tbilisi from Dh1,025 return including taxes

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Five healthy carbs and how to eat them

Brown rice: consume an amount that fits in the palm of your hand

Non-starchy vegetables, such as broccoli: consume raw or at low temperatures, and don’t reheat  

Oatmeal: look out for pure whole oat grains or kernels, which are locally grown and packaged; avoid those that have travelled from afar

Fruit: a medium bowl a day and no more, and never fruit juices

Lentils and lentil pasta: soak these well and cook them at a low temperature; refrain from eating highly processed pasta variants

Courtesy Roma Megchiani, functional nutritionist at Dubai’s 77 Veggie Boutique

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Get inspired

Here are a couple of Valentine’s Day food products that may or may not go the distance (but have got the internet talking anyway).

Sourdough sentiments: Marks & Spencer in the United Kingdom has introduced a slow-baked sourdough loaf dusted with flour to spell out I (heart) you, at £2 (Dh9.5). While it’s not available in the UAE, there’s nothing to stop you taking the idea and creating your own message of love, stencilled on breakfast-inbed toast.  

Crisps playing cupid: Crisp company Tyrells has added a spicy addition to its range for Valentine’s Day. The brand describes the new honey and chilli flavour on Twitter as: “A tenderly bracing duo of the tantalising tingle of chilli with sweet and sticky honey. A helping hand to get your heart racing.” Again, not on sale here, but if you’re tempted you could certainly fashion your own flavour mix (spicy Cheetos and caramel popcorn, anyone?). 

BMW M5 specs

Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor

Power: 727hp

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Sole survivors
  • Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
  • George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
  • Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
  • Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Updated: May 07, 2024, 9:07 AM