According to people familiar with the situation, Boeing Co (BA.N) is arguing with Aerojet Rocketdyne (AJRD.N), a key supplier for its Starliner spacecraft, as the US aerospace giant rushes to test launch the uncrewed astronaut capsule and repair its reputation in the space sector.

The CST-100 Starliner is set to fly to the International Space Station on May 19 atop an Atlas 5 rocket from Florida, with Boeing hoping to demonstrate to NASA that the spacecraft is safe to transport astronauts to and from the orbiting outpost. A similar uncrewed test flight in 2019 was cut short due to software issues.

According to three sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity, the mission is a critical step toward re-establishing Boeing as a viable competitor to billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk’s SpaceX, a drive hampered by Boeing’s conflict with propulsion system supplier Aerojet.

According to the sources, Boeing and Aerojet of El Segundo, California, are at war over the reason of a problem with fuel valves in the Starliner propulsion system that prompted a test flight postponement last July, with the two companies blaming each other.

The previously unknown disagreement comes as Boeing struggles to recover from a series of problems that have hampered its airplane business and depleted cash reserves.

[embedpost slug=”special-report-how-wall-street-banks-profited-from-the-spac-craze/”]