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The May 6, 2024, launch attempt was scrubbed because a pressure-relief valve on the Atlas V rocket’s upper stage was buzzing—not because of a noise inside Boeing’s Starliner capsule. The valve was fluttering open and closed, and crewed-flight procedures did not allow the team to recycle it with astronauts aboard.
Where did the buzzing sound come from?
The sound came from an oxygen pressure-relief valve on the liquid-oxygen tank of the Atlas V’s Centaur upper stage. It was part of the rocket, not Starliner’s cabin. United Launch Alliance CEO Tory Bruno told the Associated Press that the valve was fluttering open and closed, producing a loud buzz. Associated Press report
Bruno said the valve might have exceeded its 200,000-cycle lifetime. That was a possible explanation, not a confirmed finding that the valve had failed or definitively passed its limit.
Why did the teams scrub the launch?
ULA had seen similar valve behavior on satellite launches, but Bruno said the rules for a crewed flight did not permit recycling the valve while astronauts were aboard. The teams therefore stopped the countdown rather than proceed with the valve’s behavior unresolved. NASA Commercial Crew Program manager Steve Stich said the teams would launch when ready and fly when it was safe to do so. Associated Press report
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- HOBBY MODEL KIT – Unassembled model packed in an envelope with easy to follow instructions. Ideal for ages 14 and up.
- NO GLUE OR SOLDER NEEDED – Parts can be easily clipped from the metal sheets. Tweezers are the recommended tool for bending and twisting the connection tabs.
- BOEING CST-100 STARLINER – 1 Sheet Model with an easy difficulty level. Assembled Size: 1.97 (Diameter) x 2.17 H inches.
- FROM STEEL SHEETS TO 3D – Pop out the pieces and connect using tabs and holes. Includes illustrated instructions.
- HIGHLY DETAILED ETCHED MODEL – Display your 3D model once completed - collect and build them all.
Did Boeing eventually launch astronauts?
Yes. NASA, Boeing and ULA initially targeted May 10 after the May 6 scrub, then launched NASA test pilots Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams on Starliner’s first crewed test flight on June 5, 2024. NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test mission page
Why did the astronauts return on SpaceX?
The flight was planned as an eight-to-14-day end-to-end test to the International Space Station. Propulsion-system anomalies led NASA to extend the mission; Wilmore and Williams spent 93 days in space. Starliner returned to Earth without them in September 2024, and the astronauts returned aboard SpaceX’s Crew-9 in March 2025. NASA’s 2026 investigation release
Quick Recap
Best Value
- HOBBY MODEL KIT – Unassembled model packed in an envelope with easy to follow instructions. Ideal for ages 14 and up.
- NO GLUE OR SOLDER NEEDED – Parts can be easily clipped from the metal sheets. Tweezers are the recommended tool for bending and twisting the connection tabs.
- SPACEX FALCON 9 - 3 Sheet Model with a Moderate difficulty level. Assembled Size: 3.00 L x 1.50 W x 7.00 H inches. 84 Pieces.
- FROM STEEL SHEETS TO 3D – Pop out the pieces and connect using tabs and holes. Includes illustrated instructions.
- HIGHLY DETAILED ETCHED MODEL – Display your 3D model once completed - collect and build them all.
Rank #4
- Hasegawa Model Kit
- Accurate Scale Model
- Paints and Glue Required
- Easy to Build
- Detailed Instructions Included
Rank #3
- This Space Mission toy set includes a Boeing 747 and a space shuttle, offering authentic representations of iconic spacecraft from both past and present.
- Each toy is individually packaged, making it perfect for gifting or collecting.
- Designed to inspire imaginative play, allowing kids to recreate space missions and aircraft journeys.
- Ideal for children ages 3 and up, encouraging both learning and fun through hands-on play.
- Great for space and aviation enthusiasts, helping to foster an interest in science and exploration.
Rank #2
- UNASSEMBLED HOBBY MODEL KIT – packed in an envelope with easy to follow instructions. Ideal for ages 14 and up.
- NO GLUE OR SOLDER NEEDED – Parts can be easily clipped from the metal sheets. Bundle includes tweezers, which are recommended for bending and twisting the connection tabs.
- BOEING CST-100 STARLINER – 1 Sheet Model with an easy difficulty level. Assembled Size: 1.97 (Diameter) x 2.17 H inches
- FROM STEEL SHEETS TO 3D – Pop out the pieces and connect using tabs and holes. Includes illustrated instructions.
- HIGHLY DETAILED ETCHED MODEL – Display your 3D model once completed - collect and build them all.
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