Boeing Starliner space capsule goes off course on first test flight

Officials say spacecraft is in stable orbit but problem may delay mission to carry Nasa astronauts

Boeing's new Starliner capsule ran into trouble and went off course in orbit minutes after blasting off on Friday on its first test flight, a crucial dress rehearsal for next year's inaugural launch with astronauts.

Initially everything went flawlessly as the Atlas V rocket launched with the Starliner shortly before sunrise. But half an hour into the flight, Boeing reported that the capsule had not got into the position needed to get to the International Space Station.