नासा: सुनीता विलियम्स का नया अंतरिक्ष मिशन रुका; बोइंग ने अंतरिक्ष यात्री प्रक्षेपण रद्द किया। यहाँ इसका कारण बताया गया है

NASA: Sunita Williams' new space mission on hold; Boeing calls off astronaut launch. Here is why

Boeing has postponed its first astronaut launch, which was supposed to take astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams on a week-long trip to the International Space Station (ISS). The launch was called off due to a valve problem on the rocket. The two NASA test pilots had just boarded Boeing’s Starliner capsule for the flight to the ISS when the countdown was stopped, just two hours before liftoff. In response, NASA tweeted, “Today's #Starliner launch is scrubbed as teams evaluate an oxygen relief valve on the Centaur Stage on the Atlas V. Our astronauts have exited Starliner and will return to crew quarters." United Launch Alliance CEO Tory Bruno explained that an oxygen pressure-relief valve on the upper stage of the Atlas rocket was causing the issue, fluttering open and close, creating a loud buzz.

He mentioned that the valve might have exceeded its 200,000-lifetime cycles, which means it would need to be replaced, leading to the launch being postponed until the following week. However, Bruno added that if engineers could quickly confirm that the valve is still within its operational limit, the launch team could attempt another launch as early as Tuesday night. Bruno stated, “Engineers will now work through the night to determine the degree of deterioration and decide whether to re-fit the same part on the launchpad or wheel the rocket back to its assembly building to install a new valve." NASA is hoping for a successful test for Starliner to certify a second commercial vehicle to carry crews to the ISS. In 2020, SpaceX achieved this milestone using its Dragon capsule, ending nearly a decade of reliance on Russian rockets after the Space Shuttle program was retired. Regarding the incident, NASA's commercial crew program manager Steve Stich acknowledged that it was a tough call. “We’re taking it one step at a time, and we’re going to launch when we’re ready and fly when it’s safe to do so," Stich told reporters as quoted by the Associated Press.

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