Prior to the launch of the Starliner rocket on June 5, Nasa and Boeing officials were aware of a helium leak but deemed it too minor to pose a safety risk to the spacecraft. However, once in orbit, the Starliner developed four additional helium leaks, rendering one thruster unusable. As a result, the return trip for astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams has been postponed until at least July 2, pending further analysis and testing of the leaks and thruster failures, according to a report from CBS.
Nasa plans to conduct a formal re-entry readiness review before determining a new landing target date. The delay in the Starliner’s undocking and return to Earth is likely to extend beyond two planned space station spacewalks on Monday and July 2. Despite the setbacks, Nasa officials maintain that Wilmore and Williams are not stranded in orbit and are cleared to undock and return home at any time if a station malfunction or other issue necessitates a quick departure.
Boeing has faced significant criticism over the Starliner’s current situation, compounding the company’s existing troubles following high-profile malfunctions of its planes over the past year. At least 20 whistleblowers have come forward to express concerns about safety and quality issues at the aerospace giant.
Steve Stich, manager of Nasa’s Commercial Crew Program, said, “We are taking our time and following our standard mission management team process.” He emphasised that the decision-making process is driven by data and that an agency-level review, similar to the one conducted before the Nasa’s SpaceX Demo-2 return after two months in orbit, will be completed to document the agency’s formal acceptance of proceeding as planned.
Despite the issues, Stich asserted that Nasa still has confidence in Starliner, claiming that the spacecraft is “performing well in orbit while docked to the space station.” However, the ongoing tests and issues raise doubts about Starliner’s ability to complete its six-hour return trip.
Boeing has incurred approximately $1.5 billion in cost overruns beyond the initial $4.5 billion contract it secured with Nasa, which aims to establish Starliner as its second mode of transportation to the ISS, alongside SpaceX’s Crew Dragon.
Nasa plans to conduct a formal re-entry readiness review before determining a new landing target date. The delay in the Starliner’s undocking and return to Earth is likely to extend beyond two planned space station spacewalks on Monday and July 2. Despite the setbacks, Nasa officials maintain that Wilmore and Williams are not stranded in orbit and are cleared to undock and return home at any time if a station malfunction or other issue necessitates a quick departure.
Boeing has faced significant criticism over the Starliner’s current situation, compounding the company’s existing troubles following high-profile malfunctions of its planes over the past year. At least 20 whistleblowers have come forward to express concerns about safety and quality issues at the aerospace giant.
Steve Stich, manager of Nasa’s Commercial Crew Program, said, “We are taking our time and following our standard mission management team process.” He emphasised that the decision-making process is driven by data and that an agency-level review, similar to the one conducted before the Nasa’s SpaceX Demo-2 return after two months in orbit, will be completed to document the agency’s formal acceptance of proceeding as planned.
Despite the issues, Stich asserted that Nasa still has confidence in Starliner, claiming that the spacecraft is “performing well in orbit while docked to the space station.” However, the ongoing tests and issues raise doubts about Starliner’s ability to complete its six-hour return trip.
Boeing has incurred approximately $1.5 billion in cost overruns beyond the initial $4.5 billion contract it secured with Nasa, which aims to establish Starliner as its second mode of transportation to the ISS, alongside SpaceX’s Crew Dragon.
