NASA called off its Boeing Starliner launch on Saturday, just about three minutes before it was due to start.
This marked the second launch attempt after the May 6 mission was delayed only two hours before its scheduled time. The mission aims to dock the Starliner with the International Space Station for a one-week visit, after which it will return to Earth to certify its complete operational capabilities.
During this attempt, NASA discovered that one of its four launch-operating computers was lagging behind the others. Given that all four computers are supposed to function simultaneously, a lag in one indicates an issue.
If the problem is identified quickly, another launch could be planned for Sunday, Wednesday, or Thursday. NASA expected its technicians to start diagnostics in the computer room by early Saturday evening.
“We got really close today, and I would say the team did a phenomenal job,” said Steve Stitch, NASA’s commercial crew program manager, during a press conference.
This development follows a 500% increase in safety concern reports by Boeing employees, according to the company’s third annual safety report released last week.
Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, slated for their third spaceflight, were on board for the mission. Both were safely evacuated without incident.
