Boeing weighs August dates for Starliner launch after addressing valve problem

Boeing (BA +0.7%) says it is evaluating various dates this month for the launch of its Starliner space capsule to the International Space Station, after the latest flight attempt was scrubbed last week.

The company says it fixed problems over the weekend on more of the 13 Starliner propulsion system valves that did not open as designed during pre-launch system checks, and inspections showed no signs of damage or external corrosion.

Seven of 13 valves are now operating as designed, with inspection and remediation of others to be performed in the coming days, Boeing says.

But Boeing still does not know what caused the valves to remain closed when they should have been in the open position, and as a result, some in the aerospace industry are skeptical that the company can launch this month, the Washington Post reports.

If Starliner does not launch in the coming weeks, it could be delayed for months because of traffic at the space station, including a SpaceX cargo launch.

Carl Surran https://seekingalpha.com/