Starliner launch on hold as NASA addresses incident aboard the International Space Station

CAPE CANAVERAL SPACE FORCE STATION, Fla. — NASA officials announced that Friday’s launch of the CST-100 Starliner would be delayed.

The decision to delay the launch comes after an incident aboard the ISS Thursday.

Read: “Failure is not an option”: NASA, Boeing prepare for 2nd flight test of Starliner craft

In a statement, Boeing said crews were working to launch the spacecraft “when the time is right”.

The company went on to say, “Success in spaceflight is achieved by millions of elements coming together and working in perfect harmony. That’s the nature of our business, and that requires patience.”

NASA reported the Russian Nauka module inadvertently fired its thrusters while docked to the ISS.

The agency said all systems aboard the space station are operating normally and that the crew was never in any danger.

READ: Port Canaveral to receive more than $72 million in federal funds to help recover from pandemic

Late Thursday teams from NASA, Boeing and United Launch Alliance announced that the new launch attempt would be Aug. 3 at 1:20 p.m. EDT.

The test flight will be the last major step before the Atlas V and Boeing’s Starliner capsule take American astronauts to the International Space Station as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.

Watch: NASA, Boeing seeking new launch date for next Starliner test flight to ISS

The uncrewed test will fly a “full mission profile” to test the capabilities of the spacecraft from pre-launch to docking and undocking to landing and recovery.

The launch will be the second of three test flights planned for Starliner to the ISS.

This will be the 88th launch of the Atlas V rocket and the 100th ULA launch from Space Launch Complex-41.

VIDEO: Starliner placed atop Atlas V rocket, prepping for flight to ISS VIDEO: Starliner placed atop Atlas V rocket, prepping for flight to ISS (WFTV)

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