06:01 AM EDT, 05/20/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Boeing ( BA ) , the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the United Launch Alliance postponed the launch of Boeing's ( BA ) Starliner spacecraft crew into space to a new target date of May 25, the space agency said Friday.

The launch, which has been delayed several times, was last scheduled for May 21, Reuters said.

The latest postponement will provide additional time to further evaluate a "small helium leak" in the spacecraft's service module, NASA said.

The Starliner program, which aims to provide NASA with a second US aircraft for transporting astronauts to and from the International Space Station, is several years behind schedule and more than $1.5 billion over budget, according to Reuters.

Boeing ( BA ) and United Launch Alliance didn't immediately respond to MT Newswires' requests for comment.

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