Why was Boeing Starliner's first crew launch attempt scrubbed? Tory Bruno explains

United Launch Alliance president and CEO Tory Bruno explains what caused the scrub of Boeing Starliner's first crewed launch attempt on May 6, 2024.

Credit: NASA

[antibrevity]

This is what makes Tory such an asset. Not a single weasel word was used in this announcement and he told us exactly what was wrong and what will be done about it. We need more like him.

[yanis]

I had heard good things about Tory Bruno and was convinced that he’s a straight arrow about 30 seconds in. He delivered a difficult message without arrogance or apologies. Just clear facts, no lame excuses or empty promises.

[MikeKobb]

Tory Bruno is an impressive guy. A CEO who knows in minute detail how his launchers are built and operated. Boeing would benefit a lot from having a guy like Tory as a CEO instead of some schmuck bean counter.

[Impractical_Engineer]

The best accident is the one you prevent. In this day and age I commend their procedure focusing on the upmost sustain for life and safety. This is true leadership.

[chipmunk]

Scrubs are common across the aerospace industry. Weather, mechanical, procedural limits are all very common. No need to blow this out of proportion just because it’s boeing as the payload and more importantly there are people up there. Even with the pressure of needing to succeed for Boeing, ULA made the right call because you can always stop and pause rather than take unneeded risk.

[dougsinthailand]

It’s a Lockheed Atlas V rocket, one of the most used and tested of all human rated rockets. There is no cause for alarm.

[keithancajas]

I loved this guy sinced watching him in smarter everyday. Very likable for a CEO. Boeing though, not so much.

[lanemedcalf]

That was a great explanation by Tory Bruno! Thanks Tory for walking us through all the relevant aspects of the valve characteristics and operation! Wow, I was really able to understand exactly what the valve issue was and why the mission was scrubbed with humans on board as opposed to a satellite. Not usually a big deal to remedy when humans are not part of the equation. Tory, you really gave us the ability to gauge the degree of seriousness of this valve issue! It takes all the sensationalism out of this scrub event. Thanks again.

[easternyellowjacket]

Excellent summation. Glad they are following procedure and not discounting safety because of pressure to launch.

[shirro]

Nobody is perfect and I am sure Bruno has his flaws but he is a damn good communicator. His leadership would be a huge asset to a company like Boeing or Blue Origin. I respect Shotwell's leadership of SpaceX but having so much public comms go through Musk is infuriating as we get a wild mix of relayed facts and bullshit depending on his mental state which seems increasingly erratic.

[bazoo]

Bruno looks as if he knows what he is doing.

[flamingpitchfork]

Yeah, we don't want another "go with throttles up" and some 10 cent rubber around some O-ring or valve fails.

[gcorriveau]

This is The Guy who should be running the Commercial Aircraft Division of Boeing!!! People first kind of guy to create and operate by those flight rules.

[harrykeel]

Finally, someone who actually knows what is going on.

[delawarepilot]

No one has ever designed a good cryogenic valve. It’s always been a problem. If you could build a better mouse trap, plenty of aerospace companies would buy them.

[i-love-space]

All those people ragging on Boeing's spaceflight division long after the problems of the unmanned flight test 1 and 2 were dealt with are completely disregarding that standards for manned capsules are quite high. The "flammable tape" issue is related to that. The so-called flammable tape is found on many airliners you fly on and is "flammable" under only the most extreme conditions and the rules put in place after Apollo 1. SpaceX had many problems fixing the Dragon 2 to abide by manned flight rules as well. (If you don't have selective amnesia, you will remember the Dragon 2 EXPLODED during a test that no one thought would be hazardous.)
This valve fluttering problem is another example of how differently treated unmanned flights are in comparison to manned. Because NASA is so careful, I have full confidence in the Boeing Starliner after NASA gives it the green light. Always remember, the Space Systems division is separate from the Military Equipment division and the Commercial Aircraft division of Boeing.

[MikeKisil]

I like the update also the man who gave it was relatable .

[Dweller]

Who on Earth would voluntarily hop aboard a Boeing built spacecraft?

[EtzEchad]

This may've saved the lives of the crew.
There's no way I would fly on this turkey.

[UCsktlulEBEebvBBOuDQ]

Boeing need to shutdown operations and have real engineers take control of it all instead of the suits that made a joke of the name. Engineers wont make the right economic calls but they wont push something not ready on the pad.