Boeing calls off first astronaut launch because of valve issue on rocket

It was the latest delay for Boeing’s first crew flight, which had been on hold for years because of capsule trouble

Boeing’s Starliner capsule on the Atlas V rocket is seen at Space Launch Complex 41 after the launch attempt was scrubbed at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (Terry Renna/AP)

Marcia Dunn

Boeing called off its first astronaut launch on Monday night because of a valve problem on the rocket.

The two Nasa test pilots had just strapped into Boeing’s Starliner capsule when the countdown was halted just two hours before the planned liftoff.