Boeing's Starliner spacecraft delayed until June 26 due to helium leaks and thruster failure.
NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Barry 'Butch' Wilmore currently docked at ISS.
Starliner suffered from heliers in propulsion system and five thrusters failed during test flight on May 19.
Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, which was scheduled for a return to Earth on June 18 with NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Barry 'Butch' Wilmore aboard, has been delayed until June 26 due to helium leaks and thruster failure during the test flight. The capsule is currently docked at the International Space Station (ISS) and will carry out a 20-day mission before returning to New Mexico for landing.
The Starliner spacecraft, operated by Boeing under a $4.2 billion contract with NASA, suffered from helium leaks in its propulsion system and five of its thrusters failed during the test flight on May 19. The delayed return will allow engineers to troubleshoot these issues and study the reasons behind them.
Former NASA astronaut Mike Massimo believes that this delay could actually benefit Williams and Wilmore, as they will have more time in space to conduct experiments and gather data. Massimo explained,
A small valve issue on Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft halted a mission to launch two astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) under a $4.2 billion contract with NASA.
Boeing has faced scrutiny from regulators and calls from customers to overhaul its approach to safety following a major safety failure on one of its 737 Max 9 passenger planes in January.
Accuracy
The malfunctioning Starliner and its passengers have been stranded in orbit for two weeks longer than planned after Nasa and Boeing pushed ahead with the launch despite the issue.
Starliner has been plagued with issues that have cost Boeing more than $1 billion, including software glitches and parachute problems.
During Starliner’s launch, more helium leaks were detected and five of the spacecraft’s 28 thrusters failed as it approached the ISS. The astronauts had to undertake manual manoeuvres in space.
A further valve issue was discovered in the reaction control system, which helps steer the spacecraft, with one valve failing to shut properly.
Nasa and Boeing are confident the craft can return, but they are being kept in orbit to conduct more tests on why the problems keep occurring.
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several informal fallacies and a dichotomous depiction. The author uses inflammatory rhetoric to describe Boeing's situation as a 'deep crisis' and contrasts it with SpaceX's successes. This creates an emotional response in the reader, rather than providing objective analysis of the situation. Additionally, the author presents Boeing as being plagued with issues and falling behind SpaceX, creating a negative dichotomy between the two companies. No formal fallacies were found.
][The company is in a deep crisis.][
[Space is super hard, but it does contrast with SpaceX's successes.]
Bias
(80%)
The article expresses a negative tone towards Boeing and its Starliner spacecraft due to the multiple issues it has encountered. The authors mention Boeing's reputational crisis and contrast it with SpaceX's successes. They also use language that depicts Boeing as being in a 'deep crisis'.
Space is super hard, but it does contrast with SpaceX’s successes.
A small valve issue on Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft halted a mission to launch two astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) under a $4.2 billion contract with NASA.
Boeing has faced scrutiny from regulators and calls from customers to overhaul its approach to safety following a major safety failure on one of its 737 Max 9 passenger planes in January.
Accuracy
Former NASA astronaut Mike Massimo explains reasons for Starliner’s delayed return
Delayed return of Starliner spacecraft benefits test pilots Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams
