The launch of a new manned spacecraft in the United States was postponed two hours before launch

The first manned flight of the American spacecraft Starliner was delayed for several days. The decision was made two hours before the launch on the morning of May 7 due to problems with the oxygen release valve, the American space agency NASA reported.

Developed by Boeing, the craft would have carried astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to the International Space Station. In the future, the Starliner should deliver up to seven astronauts into orbit at a time, which should provide the American space program with competition with SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft and the Russian Soyuz.

The next launch window opens Friday, Boeing said on social media. NASA noted that flight safety is the agency’s top priority.

The development of Starliner has faced difficulties throughout the program’s history. The first manned flight was supposed to take place back in June last year. The first test flight without a crew in December 2019 was unsuccessful: the ship did not reach the intended orbit due to software problems.