The Orbital Flight Test 2 (OFT-2) mission, which marks the second test attempt of the Starliner spacecraft, is unlikely to take place this year without staff to reach the International Space Station (ISS). Transfers Katy Leaders’ recent SpaceNews statement Took the lead NASA Directorate of Space Operations.

Leaders said Boeing and NASA have yet to identify a specific cause. Rise Valve malfunctions in several thrusters that delayed the OFT-2 mission scheduled for August.

According to the head of the Directorate of Space Operations, “the team is still in trouble”, as a result of which Starliner will fly to ISS in 2022. “Last month, Boeing officials said oxidant (dinitrogen tetroxide) penetrated through the Teflon seals on the valves, causing moisture to seep into the dry part of the valves, eating from the valves and causing them to close, the newspaper writes.

The leaders added that they had studied the dry side of the valves and were now considering removing them to inspect the wet part. The head of the Directorate of Space Operations said the possibility of replacing the Starliner service module that was experiencing valve problems was being considered.

In December 2019, for the first time, Starliner attempted to fly to ISS without a crew. This attempt was unsuccessful. Due to a bug in the Starliner software Did not arrive ISS, however Handled Return to Earth successfully.

This reusable spacecraft is designed to carry seven people to the ISS. The 13-ton Starliner can remain in low orbit for up to 210 days as part of the ISS and remain unmanned for about three days. The spacecraft is 4.56 meters in diameter and 5.03 meters high, surpassing the dimensions of the Apollo command module that sent the first man to the moon. A Starliner capsule allows up to ten launches into space. The landing of the spacecraft takes place on land, which includes a heat shield, a parachute system and an airbag. Boeing is the leading developer of Starliner.

Currently, the Russian Disposable Soyuz MS spacecraft and the American reusable crew dragon bring people to ISS.