Contractor Warns of , Potential Catastrophe if NASA , Goes Ahead With Scheduled Launch.<br />IEN reports that a NASA contractor has publicly <br />urged the space agency to reconsider an <br />upcoming launch, warning it could end in disaster.<br />The news comes after the initial launch <br />of Boeing's Starliner was scrapped as <br />the result of a leaky valve just last week. .<br />The news comes after the initial launch <br />of Boeing's Starliner was scrapped as <br />the result of a leaky valve just last week. .<br />NASA has plans to attempt <br />another launch later this week. .<br />ValveTech produces valves <br />and other components for both <br />aerospace and military applications.<br />ValveTech produces valves <br />and other components for both <br />aerospace and military applications.<br />The company issued a press release <br />warning that a second launch <br />attempt could end in catastrophe. .<br />The statement from ValveTech <br />President Erin Faville called for NASA <br />to re-double safety checks and protocols. .<br />The failed launch last week would have been <br />the first human space flight for Boeing but was <br />scrubbed after a faulty valve was discovered. .<br />The Associated Press reported that the fluttering oxygen <br />pressure-relief valve on United Launch Alliance’s Atlas <br />rocket may have exceeded its 200,000 lifetime cycles. .<br />The ValveTech statement questions how <br />NASA, Aerojet and Boeing could have... .<br />... "qualified this valve for the mission <br />without proper supporting data or<br />previous history or legacy information.".<br />According to ValveTech, this , "goes against aerospace-industry <br />qualification protocols established by NASA."
