NASA plans to use the Starliner for routine astronaut missions alongside SpaceX's Crew Dragon.
Steve Stich, manager of NASA's commercial crew programming, said they are taking their time to understand the vehicle and giving teams more time to look at data. The craft currently has enough helium for 70 hours and could spend up to 45 days at the Space Station if needed.
The Boeing Starliner has had a history of technical issues, including dozens of glitches, design problems, and management issues which led to an unsuccessful uncrewed 2019 mission. The first launch was also delayed due to a technical issue with the propulsion system.
The mission was initially scheduled for June 14th but has been extended due to five small helium leaks, five thruster failures before docking at ISS, and a faulty valve.
The Starliner is expected to land at White Sand Space Harbour, New Mexico on June 26 around 4:51 am Eastern time (10:51 CET).
Two astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, have been delayed in their return to Earth from the International Space Station (ISS) due to technical difficulties with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft.
Two astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, have been delayed in their return to Earth from the International Space Station (ISS) due to technical difficulties with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft. The mission was initially scheduled for June 14th but has been extended due to five small helium leaks, five thruster failures before docking at ISS, and a faulty valve.
The Starliner is expected to land at White Sand Space Harbour, New Mexico on June 26 around 4:51 am Eastern time (10:51 CET). NASA's plan is to use the Starliner for routine astronaut missions alongside SpaceX's Crew Dragon.
The Boeing Starliner has had a history of technical issues, including dozens of glitches, design problems, and management issues which led to an unsuccessful uncrewed 2019 mission. The first launch was also delayed due to a technical issue with the propulsion system.
Steve Stich, manager of NASA's commercial crew programming, said they are taking their time to understand the vehicle and giving teams more time to look at data. The craft currently has enough helium for 70 hours and could spend up to 45 days at the Space Station if needed.
This is not the first delay for Boeing's Starliner return to Earth. The mission was initially scheduled for May but was delayed due to a technical issue with the propulsion system. The latest issues include helium leaks and thruster failures.
It is mentioned that the craft currently has enough helium for 70 hours but it is unclear how long it takes to land after that point.
The article mentions 'dozens of glitches, design problems, and management issues' in the past of the Boeing Starliner but does not provide a specific number for each category.
Boeing's Starliner was scheduled to launch on May 6 but a small issue with the rocket's flow of oxidizer created an audible buzzing sound, aborting the mission.
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 on June 5.
Boeing has faced a reputational crisis following a major safety failure on one of its 737 Max 9 passenger planes in January.
The Starliner problems are a fresh blow to Boeing which has been battling issues that have cost over $1bn, from software glitches to parachute problems.
SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft has been carrying out regular trips to the ISS since 2020, putting Boeing behind Elon Musk’s rocket company in space transportation contracts with Nasa.
During Starliner’s eventual launch on June 5, more helium leaks were detected and five of the spacecraft’s 28 thrusters failed as it approached the ISS.
A further valve issue was discovered in the reaction control system, which helps steer the spacecraft. The malfunctioning valve is currently relying on a backup ‘B’ valve.
Starliner had been scheduled to return on June 14 but will not undock until June 26 due to ongoing tests and troubleshooting.
Nasa and Boeing are confident the craft can return, but the astronauts remain in orbit for now as experts continue testing on why the problems keep occurring.
Accuracy
The return to Earth of Boeing's Starliner is delayed indefinitely.
Boeing Starliner's return to Earth from International Space Station is delayed.
Deception
(30%)
The article contains editorializing and sensationalism. The author uses phrases like 'fresh blow', 'minuscule problems that can play havoc with complex rocket launches', and 'seemingly small valve issue' to manipulate the reader's emotions. The author also implies that Boeing is in a crisis by stating, 'The company is in a deep crisis.' and 'Boeing has fallen behind Elon Musk’s rocket company, SpaceX.' without providing any evidence to support these claims.
Boeing has fallen behind Elon Musk’s rocket company, SpaceX, which has also partnered with Nasa to ferry astronauts into space.
The seemingly small valve issue found on May 6...
The seemingly small valve issue found on May 6, which affected the Starliner’s Atlas V booster rocket (built in a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin), is typical of the minuscule problems that can play havoc with complex rocket launches.
Fallacies
(85%)
The author makes an appeal to authority by quoting Rob Adlard, the chief executive of British space launch company Gravitilab and Chris Welch, a consultant and former professor of space engineering at the International Space University in Strasbourg. The author also uses inflammatory rhetoric by stating that Boeing is in a 'deep crisis' and that the optics of it are 'terrible'. However, no formal or dichotomous fallacies were found.
][Rob Adlard] The company is in a deep crisis. The optics of it are terrible.[/]
[Chris Welch] All these components are like links in a chain that all have to work in synchrony... You can simulate them as much as you’d like, but you can never really be sure how they are going to work until you actually put them out in the field.[
Bias
(95%)
The author expresses a negative opinion towards Boeing and its Starliner spacecraft throughout the article due to multiple issues and delays. While it is not explicitly stated, the tone of the article implies a bias against Boeing.
, Boeing has been battling a reputational crisis since a door blew out mid-flight on one of its planes in January.
, Boeing's setbacks have allowed Elon Musk’s rocket company, SpaceX, to race ahead.
Boeing's Starliner is now relying on a backup 'CB' valve instead.
, The seemingly small valve issue found on May 6, which affected the Starliner’s Atlas V booster rocket, is typical of the minuscule problems that can play havoc with complex rocket launches.
Two astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, are stuck in space due to technical difficulties with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft.
The mission was supposed to last for just over a week, until June 14th, but has been delayed due to five small helium leaks, five thruster failures before docking at ISS, and a faulty valve.
NASA’s plan is to use the Starliner for routine astronaut missions alongside SpaceX’s Crew Dragon.
Steve Stich, manager of NASA’s commercial crew programming, said they are taking their time to understand the vehicle and giving teams more time to look at data.
The craft currently has enough helium for 70 hours and could spend up to 45 days at the Space Station if needed.
The Starliner is expected to land at White Sand Space Harbour, New Mexico on June 26 around 4:51 am Eastern time (10:51 CET).
This is the latest in a series of technical issues for the Starliner and for Boeing. The first launch was delayed due to a technical issue with the propulsion system.
The Starliner has had issues over the years, including dozens of glitches, design problems, and management issues which led to an unsuccessful uncrewed 2019 mission.
Accuracy
Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, won't return until July
