Cape Canaveral, Florida – A last-minute problem on Saturday stopped the countdown to the launch of the aerospace company's first flight with astronauts. Boeingthe latest development in a series of delays over the years.
Two astronauts from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, better known as NASA, were aboard the company's Starliner capsule, awaiting takeoff, when the countdown stopped automatically at 3 minutes and 50 seconds by the computer system that controls the last minutes before takeoff.
Just a moment before takeoff on Saturday afternoon, there was no time to repair the last damage, so everything was canceled. It was not immediately clear why the computers stopped counting down.
Launch controllers were reviewing the data, said Dillon Rice of the United Launch Alliance. But it's possible the team will try again as soon as Sunday.
Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams remained in their seats in the capsule, waiting for technicians to help them out.
The first launch attempt scheduled for May 6 was postponed for leak checks and rocket repairs.
NASA wants to have an alternative to SpaceX, which has transported astronauts for four years.