Launch of Boeing’s Maiden Astronaut Mission Cancelled in Last-Minute
By Boniface Ihiasota, USA
A last-minute issue has interrupted the launch countdown for Boeing’s maiden astronaut mission on Saturday, Excel Magazine International has gathered.
Veteran NASA astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore, 61, and Sunita “Suni” Williams, 58, were strapped into the Starliner capsule, ready for liftoff, when the countdown was abruptly halted at three minutes and 50 seconds.
Just before the hold, mission teams conducted the “go/no-go” poll, declaring Starliner “go” for launch.
“This is a great day to be proud of your nation,” Wilmore remarked from the capsule after the poll.
However, with the issue emerging just moments before the scheduled liftoff, there was no time to address it, leading to the cancellation of the launch.
The cause of the automatic hold is currently unknown, but mission teams anticipate a 24-hour turnaround time, according to the NASA webcast.
Excel Magazine International learnt the teams are now preparing to safely rescue the crew from the capsule.
The launch had already faced delays for leak checks and rocket repairs.
NASA aims to have Boeing as a backup to SpaceX, which has been carrying astronauts for the past four years.
