NASA Astronauts Delayed Indefinitely: Boeing's Starliner Faces Helium Leaks and Malfunctioning Thrusters

Cape Canaveral, Florida United States of America
Boeing has faced years of setbacks and financial losses totaling over $1.5 billion.
Boeing's Starliner spacecraft experienced helium leaks and malfunctioning thrusters during its approach to the ISS, causing a delay in NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore's return.
Enough helium is available for the return mission, but the exact date remains uncertain.
Feedback from Williams and Wilmore about the Starliner spacecraft has been positive.
NASA is eager for Boeing's Starliner to serve as a second American transportation system to the ISS, providing redundancy in case one system fails.
NASA officials are reviewing data to manage small helium system leaks and thruster performance before making a decision on Starliner's certification.
The astronauts are helping with station operations while completing objectives for NASA's possible certification of Starliner.
The mission launch was scheduled for June 14 but has been delayed indefinitely due to certification process and propulsion system issues.
NASA Astronauts Delayed Indefinitely: Boeing's Starliner Faces Helium Leaks and Malfunctioning Thrusters

Two NASA astronauts, Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, have been delayed in their return from the International Space Station (ISS) due to issues with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft. The spacecraft experienced helium leaks and malfunctioning thrusters during its approach to the ISS.

Boeing desperately needs to overcome these technical challenges and demonstrate that it can safely fly astronauts in order to recoup development costs and secure its future in space (Fact 1). NASA is eager for Boeing's Starliner to serve as a second American transportation system to the ISS, providing redundancy in case one system fails (Fact 2).

The mission, which launched on June 5, was originally scheduled for a return on June 14. However, due to the issues with Starliner's propulsion system and certification process for crew rotation missions (Fact 3), the astronauts have been delayed indefinitely.

Boeing has faced years of setbacks and costly setbacks, totaling over $1.5 billion in financial losses (Fact 4). NASA officials are taking their time to review propulsion system data and letting the data drive their decision making relative to managing the small helium system leaks and thruster performance (Fact 5).

The astronauts, who have been integrated with the Expedition 71 crew aboard the ISS, are helping with station operations as needed while completing objectives for NASA's possible certification of Starliner (Fact 6). The pair are currently not in danger because they are aboard the ISS with plenty of supplies and the station's schedule is relatively open through mid-August.

The helium leaks and thruster issue threatened to delay Starliner's docking, but NASA and Boeing say enough helium is available for the return mission (Fact 7). The United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket with Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft launched from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on June 5, 2024.

Despite ongoing delays, feedback from Wilmore and Williams about the Starliner spacecraft has been overwhelmingly positive (Fact 8).


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Confidence

95%

Doubts
  • Is the helium leak a significant issue that could impact the safety of future Starliner missions?
  • What is the exact cause of the malfunctioning thrusters and how long will it take to fix?

Sources

80%

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 Starliner: Why are the astronauts still in space?

BBC News Site: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-68702081, About Us URL: https://www.bbc.com/aboutthebbc/ Pallab Ghosh Wednesday, 26 June 2024 06:27
  • Unique Points
    • Nasa astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore were supposed to have returned to Earth on Wednesday night but instead they are staying on the International Space Station (ISS)
    • Four helium leaks developed during the mission and five of its maneuvering thrusters cut out during the approach to the space station, four of which were restarted
    • Engineers discovered a small helium leak before launch, but it has since grown to five leaks
  • Accuracy
    • Starliner was launched despite a small leak of helium gas before launch
  • Deception (30%)
    The article contains selective reporting as it only reports details that support the author's position about the technical issues with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft. The author quotes experts who express their opinions on why the launch should not have gone ahead due to the helium leaks and thruster problems, but does not provide any counter-opinions or information that might challenge this perspective. Additionally, there is a lack of disclosure regarding sources for some of the quotes used in the article.
    • The whole point about this was to test what putting astronauts in the loop of controlling the spacecraft would do in terms of performance. Instead, we seem to be dealing with rather more fundamental issues that really should have been ironed out by now.
    • Unless the root cause is understood, they are having to make a judgement about the return based on incomplete information.
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The author makes an appeal to authority by quoting experts Dr Adam Baker and Dr Simeon Barber. He also uses inflammatory rhetoric by stating that the launch should not have gone ahead 'in spite of the leak' and that it was a 'bump in the road' but not a major concern.
    • Dr Adam Baker, who is head of Rocket Engineering, a UK company specialising in rocket propulsion systems, says he understands why the launch took place but says it would have been better to have got to the bottom of the cause of the leak and repaired it.
    • Dr Simeon Barber, who is a space scientist at the Open University, says that 'the problems we have seen in the last few weeks are not the kind we would have anticipated at this stage of the development programme for Starliner.'
    • The author states that 'this is an entirely expected bump in the road' and that it is not a major concern.
    • Nasa stated that flight engineers wanted to study the spacecraft to get to the bottom of the faults before it re-entered into the Earth's atmosphere.
  • Bias (95%)
    The author expresses a critical tone towards Boeing and their handling of the Starliner spacecraft issues. He quotes experts who question the decision to launch despite known issues and raises concerns about the root cause of the helium leaks and thruster problems. However, no clear examples of bias against a specific political, religious, ideological or monetary position are present.
    • But what I feel is that they may not have sufficiently considered the worsening of the leak after launch. This is something that Nasa and Boeing probably should have done.[
      • ] engineers discovered a small helium leak before launch. There are now five.[
        • The problems we have seen in the last few weeks are not the kind we would have anticipated at this stage of the development programme for Starliner.[
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          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

        Astronauts’ delayed return reflects high stakes for Boeing and NASA

        The Fixing Site: A Summary of the Article. Christian Davenport Tuesday, 25 June 2024 16:59
        • Unique Points
          • Boeing desperately needs to overcome these technical challenges and demonstrate that it can safely fly astronauts in order to recoup development costs and secure its future in space.
          • NASA is eager for Boeing’s Starliner to serve as a second American transportation system to the space station, providing redundancy in case one system fails.
          • Years of setbacks and costly setbacks have cost Boeing over $1.5 billion in financial losses.
        • Accuracy
          • Boeing's Starliner spacecraft experienced a series of technical issues, including helium leaks and malfunctioning thrusters.
          • Four of Starliner’s five small thrusters are now operating normally.
          • Starliner was launched despite a small leak of helium gas before 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 (100%)
          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

        NASA astronauts stuck waiting aboard ISS to return to Earth amid issues with Boeing's Starliner

        ABC NEWS SITE NAMES Name: ABC News Site Names URL: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/us-officially-blames-iran_106834435 ABC News Wednesday, 26 June 2024 06:31
        • Unique Points
          • Two NASA astronauts are stuck waiting aboard the International Space Station (ISS) due to mechanical issues with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft.
          • The mission is part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, testing if Boeing’s spacecraft can be certified for routine missions to and from the ISS.
          • The astronauts were originally scheduled to return to Earth on June 14 but have had their return delayed multiple times and do not have a set date yet.
        • Accuracy
          • Four helium leaks developed during the mission and five of its maneuvering thrusters cut out during the approach to the ISS, four of which were restarted.
          • Starliner was launched despite a small leak of helium gas before 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 (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

        How SpaceX could end up rescuing stranded astronauts if Boeing's Starliner can't be fixed

        New York Post Ronny Reyes Tuesday, 25 June 2024 21:16
        • Unique Points
          • SpaceX may be forced to rescue two astronauts stranded at the International Space Station after their Boeing Starliner suffered troubling helium leaks.
          • ,
          • Boeing-rival SpaceX could potentially end up being tapped to ultimately bring them home aboard its Crew Dragon spaceship.
        • Accuracy
          • The capsule carrying the astronauts will make it back to Earth, but the service module, which stores engines, fuel and helium tanks, will not.
        • Deception (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Fallacies (90%)
          No formal fallacies found. However, there are a few instances of inflammatory rhetoric and appeals to authority. The author uses phrases like 'severe blow to troubled aerospace giant Boeing' and quotes Michael Lembeck, an aerospace engineering associate professor, as well as Katsuo Kurabayashi, a professor of aerospace engineering. These do not rise to the level of formal fallacies but are worth noting.
          • severe blow to troubled aerospace giant Boeing
          • SpaceX did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment Tuesday.
          • Michael Lembeck, an aerospace engineering associate professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign who served as a consultant for Boeing’s spaceflight division from 2009 to 2014
          • Katsuo Kurabayashi, a professor of aerospace engineering at New York University
        • 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

        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

        NASA has again delayed Boeing Starliner’s return to Earth

        CNN News Site: In-Depth Reporting and Analysis with Some Financial Conflicts and Sensational Language Jackie Wattles, Saturday, 22 June 2024 02:28
        • Unique Points
          • Boeing Starliner's return to Earth from the International Space Station has been delayed due to issues with five thrusters and helium leaks.
          • NASA and Boeing are reviewing propulsion system data to manage small helium system leaks and thruster performance.
        • Accuracy
          • Four of Starliner’s maneuvering thrusters are now operating normally, but the root cause of the malfunctioning thruster and the helium leaks must be resolved before certification for regular crew rotation missions can be granted.
          • ,
        • 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