The first crewed launch of Boeing’s Starliner capsule has been delayed again, this time after an automatic capture was released by the launch sequencer less than four minutes before liftoff. As a launch commentator explained during NASA’s live broadcast, the launch sequence is the computer that captures the terminal number and actually launches the rocket. “The reason for this is unknown at this time,” he said. Starliner’s next chance to fly will be at 12:03 a.m. ET tomorrow, but whether that happens will depend on the team’s investigation into the matter today.
In a quick update, NASA It said the release was removed “because the computer’s ground-launch sequencer did not load into the correct operating configuration after switching to the terminal number.” Why this happens is still unclear. “The ULA team is working to understand the cause,” NASA said.
