Boeing Starliner's first crewed test mission was abruptly postponed on Monday following reports of a valve problem just a couple of hours ahead of liftoff.
The announcement was first made on NASA's live broadcast of the flight after finding an issue with one of the oxygen relief valves on the Atlas V rocket used for the mission.
(Photo : Joel Kowsky/NASA via Getty Images)
The decision was supposedly made "out of an abundance of caution" for the two astronauts aboard the spacecraft, Butch Wilmore and Sunny Williams.
Boeing has already indicated that the flight could be rescheduled for May 7, 10, or 11.
Starliner is one of Boeing's most expensive ventures, racking over $1.5 billion in expenses after multiple production delays and safety probes.
On top of overbudgeting, Boeing is lagging behind its top competitor SpaceX which has already been transporting astronauts from the International Space Station since 2020.
Like with SpaceX, Boeing has a $4.2 billion commitment with NASA to help bring astronauts to the ISS, a promise it has yet to fulfill over a decade since the investment was first granted.
Also Read: Boeing's First Crewed Starliner Mission Takes Off in 2024
Elon Musk Takes a Hit on Boeing Starliner Flight Delay
Of course, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk did not let the chance pass by without leaving a comment on Boeing's situation.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the billionaire pointed out that SpaceX only needed $2.6 billion to build its Dragon 1 in just a little over six years.
The aerospace company is already on its way to finish Dragon 2, a project Musk touted to be "almost nothing in common" with the previous spacecraft.
Although Boeing got $4.2 billion to develop an astronaut capsule and SpaceX only got $2.6 billion, SpaceX finished 4 years sooner.
Note, the crew capsule design of Dragon 2 has almost nothing in common with Dragon 1.
Too many non-technical managers at Boeing. https://t.co/bTXWAfxfrh— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 6, 2024
It is worth noting that SpaceX has long been the focus of regulator's frustrations for multiple workplace safety issues in its rush to finish its rockets and spacecraft.
Reuters has counted at least 600 unreported workplace injuries since 2014.
Boeing Faces Financial Troubles
With the expenses on the Starliner continuing to grow, Boeing is expected to face more financial troubles amid scrutiny on the safety of its vehicles.
It can be remembered that the company is facing potential criminal charges from the Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Federal Aviation Agency for its commercial aircraft.
CEO Dave Calhoun has already announced his retirement as chief executive by the end of the year in the middle of the fiasco.
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