Leaky valve issue forces Boeing to swap out Starliner’s service module

“Ongoing investigation efforts continue to validate the most probable cause.”

The very top of a rocket on a launch pad.

Enlarge / In early December 2019, the Starliner spacecraft is mated to its Atlas V rocket. (credit: Trevor Mahlmann)

Nearly two years have now come and gone since Boeing's Starliner spacecraft made its unsuccessful debut test flight, launching on December 20, 2019. Now, finally, there is some clarity on when the vehicle may launch again and attempt to dock with the International Space Station.

NASA and Boeing said Monday that they were working toward a launch of Starliner in May 2022. To accommodate this launch date for the "Orbital Flight-2" or OFT mission, Boeing will swap out a faulty service module—which provides power and propulsion to the Starliner capsule in flight—with a new one.

Boeing initially tried to fly OFT-2 in August. However, with less than five hours remaining in the countdown to launch, during a routine procedure, 13 of the 24 valves that control the flow of dinitrogen tetroxide oxidizer through the service module of the spacecraft would not cycle between closed and open. The launch was aborted.

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Telekom: Unser Mobilfunknetz “hat noch Lücken”

Wo es nicht gelingt, Funklöcher zu schließen, hat laut Telekom immer die Bürokratie Schuld. Beim Umweltschutz habe man die Klimaziele verschärft. (Umweltschutz, DSL)

Wo es nicht gelingt, Funklöcher zu schließen, hat laut Telekom immer die Bürokratie Schuld. Beim Umweltschutz habe man die Klimaziele verschärft. (Umweltschutz, DSL)

Impfdebatte, Solidarität und Klassenkampf

Weder der harte Kern der Impfgegner noch diejenigen, die am lautesten Ungeimpfte verurteilen, sind mehrheitlich arm. Bildungsbürgerliche Klischees dominieren

Weder der harte Kern der Impfgegner noch diejenigen, die am lautesten Ungeimpfte verurteilen, sind mehrheitlich arm. Bildungsbürgerliche Klischees dominieren

EU-Ausschuss zu Digitale-Dienste-Gesetz: Verifizierungspflicht für Porno-Uploader gefordert

Das Europaparlament will den anonymen Upload von Pornos im Internet erschweren. Das sehen Änderungsvorschläge beim Digitale-Dienste-Gesetz vor. (Europaparlament, Google)

Das Europaparlament will den anonymen Upload von Pornos im Internet erschweren. Das sehen Änderungsvorschläge beim Digitale-Dienste-Gesetz vor. (Europaparlament, Google)

Analogue Pocket, continued: What’s worth adding to retro system’s $220 base?

TV dock, Game Gear adapter, clear case, cables, and more.

Time to unwrap this slew of Analogue Pocket add-on boxes and judge what's inside.

Time to unwrap this slew of Analogue Pocket add-on boxes and judge what's inside. (credit: Sam Machkovech)

As a dedicated, Game Boy-like handheld, Analogue Pocket offers plenty of self-contained fun for $219. So much fun, in fact, that I was able to write 8,000 words about it earlier this week.

Shortly after I finished that review, a box of Analogue-produced Pocket add-ons arrived at my doorstep. While its contents range from imperative to forgettable, they're all worth minding for prospective Pocket owners, as Analogue has never produced so many system-specific accessories before. Since they all return to Analogue's exclusive online store shortly after this article goes live (Tuesday, December 14, at 11 am EST, to be specific), consider this a checklist for how much to add to your frantic retro-gaming shopping cart.

Analogue Dock: Is that a Switch in your (Analogue) Pocket, or... ?

Analogue Pocket (left), Analogue Dock (right).

Analogue Pocket (left), Analogue Dock (right). (credit: Sam Machkovech)

The most intriguing add-on in the system's launch window is a Pocket-specific TV dock. Its sales pitch is a combination of immediate features and teased perks for the near-future.

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