Hello and welcome back to TechCrunch Space. Unfortunately, Boeing's Starliner Launch Was Still Delayed again, this time due to problems with one of three redundant computers used by United Launch Alliance, the rocket supplier, to initiate the launch sequence. Those computers are supposed to work in sync, but one of them was moving a little slow, which initiated an automatic shutdown.
Possible next release dates? June 5 and 6.
Do you want to reach out with advice? Email Aria at aria.techcrunch@gmail.com or message me on Signal at 512-937-3988. You can also send a note to the entire TechCrunch team at tips@techcrunch.com. For more secure communications, Click here to contact uswhich includes SecureDrop instructions and links to encrypted messaging applications.
Story of the week
A Chinese spacecraft successfully landed on the far side of the Moon on Sunday with the aim of bringing back lunar rock samples. The Chang'e-6 lander has landed in the South Pole's Aitken Basin, China's space agency said.
The mission is expected to last more than 50 days and is just the latest in a growing series of successful Chinese lunar missions.
The New York Times dove into the question of whether Elon Musk's SpaceX is using unfair tactics to maintain its dominance in the launch industry. According to other space CEOs, the answer is yes. This story generated a lot of comments online, and whether you agree or disagree from the beginning, it's worth a read.
This week in space history.
Today we made history, friends! Six planets lined up in the sky this morning in a rare celestial event sometimes called a “parade of planets.” Mars, Saturn and Jupiter were visible to the naked eye; The full lineup, in order, is Jupiter, Mercury, Uranus, Mars, Neptune, and Saturn, plus an extra crescent moon!
Leave feedback about this