Boeing calls off first astronaut launch because of valve issue on rocket

Boeing’s Starliner capsule on the Atlas V rocket is seen at Space Launch Complex 41 after the launch attempt was scrubbed at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (Terry Renna/AP)

Boeing called off its first astronaut launch on Monday night because of a valve problem on the rocket.

The two Nasa test pilots had just strapped into Boeing’s Starliner capsule when the countdown was halted just two hours before the planned liftoff.