The warning comes two days after the space agency scrubbed the launch of the Starliner rocket

A supplier for NASA has urged the space agency to conduct more safety checks before the highly-anticipated first launch of its Starliner spacecraft, set to take off as soon as next week, to prevent potential catastrophic outcomes.

ValveTech, a contractor providing valve components for the rocket that will lift the Starliner spacecraft, warned against the imminent launch scheduled for May 17.

The previous launch attempt on May 6 was scrubbed two hours before takeoff due to a valve issue.

The Starliner is designed to transport people to and from the International Space Station and other low-Earth-orbit destinations. “As a valued NASA partner and valve experts, we strongly urge them not to attempt a second launch due to the risk of a disaster occurring on the launchpad,” ValveTech president Erin Faville said in a press release.

“According to media reports, a buzzing sound indicating a leaking valve was noticed by someone walking by the Starliner minutes before launch. This sound could indicate that the valve has passed its lifecycle,” Faville wrote.

She urged NASA to “redouble safety checks and re-examine safety protocols to ensure the Starliner is safe before something catastrophic happens to the astronauts and to the people on the ground,” she added.

This warning is the latest bout of bad news for Boeing, which has faced repeated headlines recently over aircraft defects.

The contractor also referenced a separate issue from a federal court decision in November 2023. A Boeing subcontractor, Aerojet Rocketdyne, was sued by ValveTech, ending in a court finding that Aerojet violated a non-disclosure agreement without disclosing trade secrets.

An initial press release stated that the Aerojet valve was “not qualified to the right specifications and not evaluated to ensure safety protocols.” Faville questioned how NASA, Boeing, and Aerojet could have qualified the valve for a mission without a proper history.

However, ValveTech released another statement to clarify earlier comments.

“Some media outlets have misquoted or misrepresented comments I made in a news release issued earlier this week,” Faville said in the second release. “What I said was that NASA needs to redouble safety checks and re-examine safety protocols to make sure the Starliner is safe before trying to launch it again.” She added, “As a valued NASA partner, it would make no sense and not be in my company’s interest to end this mission. It is unfortunate that some of my comments were taken out of context to imply otherwise.”