The Atlas V rocket carrying Boeing's new Starliner space capsule launch will be postponed to no earlier than 17th May because of a bad valve in the rocket that needs to be replaced.
According to the Associated Press (AP), the countdown was halted Monday night after a pressure-relief valve in the Atlas V rocket's upper stage opened and closed so quickly and so many times that it created a loud buzz. Engineers for United Launch Alliance determined Tuesday that the valve has exceeded its design limit and must now be removed.
The NASA astronauts assigned to the Starliner capsule's test flight to the International Space Station — Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams — will remain at Cape Canaveral.