Boeing’s First Astronaut Flight Called Off

June 2, 2024 6:41 am

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Mission managers say last-minute computer trouble has nixed the latest launch attempt for Boeing’s first astronaut flight. Two NASA astronauts were strapped into the company’s Starliner capsule and awaiting liftoff Saturday when the countdown was halted. With only a split second to take off, there was no time to work the latest trouble and the launch was called off. Officials say they could try again as early as Wednesday. If it doesn’t blast off this coming week, then that would be it until mid-June in order to move the rocket off the pad and replace batteries. NASA wants a backup to SpaceX, which has been flying astronauts since 2020.