Boeing's Starliner Spacecraft with Astronauts Wilmore and Williams Set for Historic Test Flight to ISS on May 31, 2024

Cape Canaveral, Florida, Florida United States of America
Boeing's Starliner has suffered several issues, including a urine processor pump module replacement and a scrubbed launch due to a suspect oxygen relief valve.
Boeing's Starliner spacecraft with astronauts Barry 'Butch' Wilmore and Sunita Williams is set for a historic test flight to the International Space Station on May 31, 2024.
NASA astronauts Wilmore and Williams will test the Starliner spacecraft and its subsystems before NASA completes final certification of the transportation system.
The Atlas V rocket produced by United Launch Alliance (ULA) will launch the Starliner into orbit in about 12 minutes.
The Commercial Crew Program aims to provide post-shuttle transportation to and from the space station without relying on Russia for rides.
Boeing's Starliner Spacecraft with Astronauts Wilmore and Williams Set for Historic Test Flight to ISS on May 31, 2024

Boeing's Starliner Spacecraft Set for Historic Launch with Crew on Board

Boeing's Starliner spacecraft is set to launch on Saturday, May 31, 2024 for a test flight to the International Space Station with astronauts Barry 'Butch' Wilmore and Sunita Williams aboard. This marks the first time humans will fly aboard Boeing's Starliner spacecraft.

The Atlas V rocket, produced by United Launch Alliance (ULA), will propel the Starliner into orbit in about 12 minutes, initiating a 25-hour rendezvous with the space station. The purpose of this mission is to test the Starliner spacecraft and its subsystems before NASA can certify it for rotational missions.

However, there have been several issues leading up to this launch. A urine processor pump module was added at the last minute to replace one that failed aboard the station earlier in the week. The Commercial Crew Program, which funded SpaceX's Crew Dragon ferry ships and Boeing's Starliner, aims to provide post-shuttle transportation to and from the space station without relying on Russia for rides aboard the Soyuz spacecraft.

Boeing's Starliner has suffered a steady stream of problems that have delayed the first piloted flight by four years, costing the company over $1 billion to correct. The launch was previously scrubbed due to a suspect oxygen relief valve on the Atlas V rocket's Centaur second stage, which has since been removed and replaced.

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams will remain at the space station for about a week to test the Starliner spacecraft and its subsystems before NASA works to complete final certification of the transportation system. The launch is set to liftoff at 12:25 p.m. on Saturday, May 31, from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.


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Confidence

95%

Doubts
  • The launch was previously scrubbed due to a suspect oxygen relief valve on the Atlas V rocket's Centaur second stage. Has this issue been fully resolved?
  • The urine processor pump module was added at the last minute. Was it thoroughly tested before being installed?

Sources

98%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Boeing's Starliner ready for Saturday launch to space station, first flight with crew on board

CBS News Site: https://www.cbsnews.com/articles/about-us/ William Harwood Saturday, 01 June 2024 01:12
  • Unique Points
    • Boeing's Starliner is set to launch on Saturday, May 31, 2024 for a test flight to the International Space Station with astronauts Barry 'Butch' Wilmore and Sunita Williams aboard.
    • The Atlas 5 rocket will propel the Starliner into orbit in about 12 minutes, initiating a 25-hour rendezvous with the space station.
    • A urine processor pump module was added to the Starliner at the last minute to replace one that failed aboard the station earlier this week.
    • The Commercial Crew Program, which funded SpaceX's Crew Dragon ferry ships and Boeing's Starliner, aims to provide post-shuttle transportation to and from the space station without relying on Russia for rides aboard the Soyuz spacecraft.
    • Boeing's Starliner has suffered a steady stream of problems that have delayed the first piloted flight by four years, costing the company over $1 billion to correct.
  • Accuracy
    • ]Boeing's Starliner is set to launch on Saturday, May 31, 2024 for a test flight to the International Space Station with astronauts Barry ‘Butch’ Wilmore and Sunita Williams aboard.[
    • The launch will take place at approximately 12:25 p.m. EDT from pad 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
    • Docking with the space station is expected on Sunday, June 1, at around 1:50 p.m. EDT.
    • Veteran NASA astronauts Wilmore and Williams will strap in three hours before liftoff to await launch.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (95%)
    The article contains some instances of appeals to authority and a potential use of an ad hominem fallacy, but overall the author's assertions are mostly factual and do not contain any egregious logical errors. The author provides detailed information about the upcoming launch of Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, including quotes from NASA managers and astronauts. There is no inflammatory rhetoric or dichotomous depictions in the article.
    • ]From the beginning, NASA wanted spacecraft from different vendors to ensure uninterrupted access to the space station even if problems grounded one ferry ship for an extended period.[
    • Speaking of being ready to ‘go,’ the Starliner will be carrying a urine processor pump module that was added at the last minute to replace one that failed aboard the station earlier this week.
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

96%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

NASA Updates Coverage for Boeing’s Starliner Launch, Docking

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Saturday, 01 June 2024 01:18
  • Unique Points
    • NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams will test the Starliner spacecraft and its subsystems before final certification of the transportation system for rotational missions to the International Space Station.
    • Launch was previously scrubbed due to a suspect oxygen relief valve on the Atlas V rocket’s Centaur second stage, which has since been removed and replaced.
  • Accuracy
    • NASA will provide live coverage of Boeing’s Starliner launch and docking to the International Space Station on June 1 and 2.
    • Boeing Starliner spacecraft is targeted for launch at 12:25 p.m. EDT on June 1 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
    • Veteran NASA astronauts Wilmore and Williams will test the Starliner spacecraft and its subsystems before final certification of the transportation system for rotational missions to the International Space Station.
    • A small helium leak was discovered in Starliner’s service module, leading to a follow-on propulsion system assessment.
    • NASA completed a Delta-Agency Flight Test Readiness Review on May 29 to evaluate all work performed and flight rationale before proceeding toward launch.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

98%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Photos: Boeing's Starliner spacecraft ready for Saturday launch

WESH News (Central Florida Local News Source) Dacia Johnson Friday, 31 May 2024 18:40
  • Unique Points
    • The Atlas V rocket carrying Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft was rolled out to SLC-41 on Thursday ahead of Saturday’s launch.
    • This is the first time humans will fly aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft.
    • Two NASA astronauts will travel to the International Space Station in Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft.
  • Accuracy
    • The launch is set to liftoff at 12:25 p.m. on Saturday, June 1.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

75%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Boeing Can’t Afford to Fail Tomorrow

The Atlantic Magazine Marina Koren Friday, 31 May 2024 16:34
  • Unique Points
    • Boeing's track record with crewed spaceflight has been spotty at best, leaving the US ever more reliant on SpaceX for transporting astronauts to space.
  • Accuracy
    • ]Boeing's first crewed launch was originally scheduled for three weeks prior but was delayed due to a valve malfunction and a helium leak in the spacecraft.[
    • Boeing has spent the past two years fixing issues with Starliner, including a wonky valve on the rocket and a helium leak within the spacecraft.
    • The most recent issue was a relief valve problem with the Atlas 5 rocket, which led to a scrubbed launch on May 6. A replacement valve was installed and tested before being cleared for flight.
    • Another issue was a small helium leak in plumbing used to pressurize the Starliner’s propulsion system. The leak was traced to the plumbing leading to a specific reaction control system jet, one of 28 such thrusters mounted around the Starliner’s service module.
  • Deception (30%)
    The article contains selective reporting and emotional manipulation. The author focuses on Boeing's past failures and the potential dangers of their spacecraft, creating a sense of unease and uncertainty for the reader. She also fails to mention any positive developments or progress made by Boeing in regards to their Starliner spacecraft. This selective reporting paints an overly negative picture of Boeing and creates unnecessary fear for readers.
    • Even if Starliner flies tomorrow, Boeing’s track record with this kind of spaceflight has so far proved spotty at best.
    • But the company’s record also matters because every Boeing misstep leaves the United States ever more reliant on its rival company, SpaceX, and its CEO, Elon Musk, to transport its astronaut to space.
    • The company's years-long effort to fly astronauts for NASA has been plagued with setbacks.
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The author makes an appeal to authority by quoting NASA officials and Jim Free stating that all spaceflights are test flights and that they learned something on every mission. This is a fallacious argument as it diminishes the importance of accountability for problems that arise, especially in the aftermath of a harrowing or even deadly event.
    • NASA leaders emphasized that the inaugural crewed mission is a test flight.
    • More than half a century in, spaceflight remains a dangerous production. By informally labeling every mission a test flight, NASA risks diminishing the importance of accountability for problems that arise, especially in the aftermath of a harrowing or even deadly event.
  • Bias (80%)
    The author expresses concern about Boeing's reliability and past issues with their Starliner spacecraft, implying a negative bias towards the company. The author also mentions SpaceX as a reliable alternative to Boeing for transporting astronauts to space.
    • Boeing's record has so far proved spotty at best.
      • But whereas SpaceX’s test went off without a hitch, Boeing’s was cut short. I still remember the eerie silence that settled over the press site at Kennedy Space Center, in Florida, when officials realized that Starliner’s flight software had malfunctioned.
        • SpaceX brought its first duo of astronauts to the ISS in the spring of 2020, in the thick of the pandemic.
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication