NASA Astronauts Delayed at ISS Due to Starliner Thruster Malfunctions and Helium Leaks

Five of Starliner's thrusters failed upon arrival at ISS. Four have been restarted and are functioning during tests.
Helium leaks discovered both before launch and upon arrival at ISS, suspected rubber seal failure causing problem.
One thruster currently offline but not an issue for return mission. NASA and Boeing working to resolve issues as soon as possible.
Starliner experienced helium leaks and thruster malfunction during flight on June 5, 2024.
Two NASA astronauts, Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, delayed at ISS due to Starliner technical difficulties.
NASA Astronauts Delayed at ISS Due to Starliner Thruster Malfunctions and Helium Leaks

Two NASA astronauts, Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, have been delayed at the International Space Station (ISS) due to technical difficulties with their Boeing CST-100 Starliner spacecraft. The Starliner experienced several helium leaks and a malfunctioning thruster during its 25-hour flight to the ISS on June 5, 2024. NASA and Boeing are using the astronauts' extra time aboard the ISS to further assess the problems with the thrusters.

The Starliner is a joint project between Boeing and NASA, designed for transporting crew members to and from low-Earth orbit destinations. The spacecraft arrived at the ISS on June 6, but its return journey has been delayed due to these issues. Initially scheduled for a one-week stay at the ISS, Williams and Wilmore are now expected to remain aboard until further notice.

Five of Starliner's 28 thrusters failed after arrival at the ISS. All but one have been restarted and are functioning during tests. Helium leaks were discovered both before launch and upon arrival at the ISS, with a rubber seal suspected of failing, causing the problem.

Boeing has stated that only one thruster is currently offline and it does not present an issue for the return mission. NASA and Boeing are working to resolve these issues as soon as possible to ensure a safe return for the astronauts.

The Starliner's service module contains thrusters, helium lines, and other systems that NASA needs to study before discarding the module upon re-entry and allowing it to burn up. Thruster testing is currently underway at White Sands Testing Ground in New Mexico.

NASA officials have emphasized that the astronauts are not stranded in space, but their return journey has been delayed until these issues are resolved.


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Confidence

91%

Doubts
  • Are all Starliner thrusters functioning properly after tests?
  • Is the rubber seal the only cause of both pre-launch and post-launch helium leaks?

Sources

99%

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’ Return Delayed as Boeing Aims to Fix Starliner Spacecraft

Voice of America (VOA) VOA Learning Sunday, 30 June 2024 22:05
  • Unique Points
    • Two American astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, have been delayed at the International Space Station (ISS) due to issues with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft.
    • Starliner is a joint project between Boeing and NASA. It arrived at the ISS on June 6 after launching from Cape Canaveral in Florida on June 5.
    • The astronauts were expected to remain in space for about one week but have been delayed due to problems with Starliner’s thrusters and helium leaks.
    • Five of Starliner’s 28 thrusters failed after arrival at the ISS. All but one have been restarted and are functioning during tests.
    • Helium leaks were discovered both before launch and upon arrival at the ISS. A rubber seal is suspected of failing, causing the problem.
  • Accuracy
    • NASA is targeting a return date of July 6 for the astronauts, but Boeing and NASA are continuing to investigate the issues before making a final decision.
  • 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

81%

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

Technical failures leave Starliner crew 'not stranded' on ISS indefinitely

New Atlas Monday, 01 July 2024 04:08
  • Unique Points
    • An oxygen valve in the system was also stuck.
    • A duplicate of Starliner’s thrusters is being tested on the ground at White Sands Testing Ground in New Mexico.
    • Starliner’s batteries can last for 45 days, but they are currently being charged by the ISS and could last another 45 days.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (30%)
    The article uses the phrase 'not stranded' in a misleading way to describe the situation of the astronauts on the International Space Station. The author also engages in selective reporting by only mentioning details that support their interpretation of 'not stranded', while omitting information about the lengthy delays and potential dangers faced by the astronauts. Additionally, there is a lack of disclosure regarding sources.
    • NASA says that the astronauts sent to the International Space Station aboard Boeing’s malfunctioning Starliner spacecraft are ‘not stranded in space.’
    • However, Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams may be staying in orbit for a very long time.
    • Of particular interest are the helium pressurization system, the propulsion system heaters, and the software controlling everything.
  • Fallacies (80%)
    The author uses the phrase 'not stranded' in a misleading way to describe the situation of the astronauts on the ISS. This is an example of a Dichotomous Depiction fallacy as it presents only two extreme options (stranded or not stranded) when there are in fact many possibilities between those extremes. The author also uses inflammatory rhetoric by implying that NASA's statements about the astronauts not being stranded are not entirely convincing and raises questions about the mission's future.
    • You can take the car to the local supermarket and if it breaks down, you aren’t stranded because you can walk home in 15 minutes. On the other hand, if you’re on a cross-country trip and throw a piston rod in some backwater mountain town, you aren’t technically stranded because you could get home somehow, but, in practical terms, you’re probably spending an indefinite amount of time in a cheap motel.
    • That's essentially what's happened with the Starliner mission.
    • Of course, the two big questions are, when will Starliner return to Earth, and is it a matter of when or if?
    • That means that the only choices are a Russian Soyuz or a SpaceX Dragon. The former would be a major international embarrassment that the United States would rather avoid, especially in an election year, while the latter would see Boeing dining out on crow for the foreseeable future.
  • Bias (95%)
    The author uses the phrase 'not stranded' in a way that implies the astronauts are effectively stranded on the ISS for an extended period of time despite NASA's assurances to the contrary. The article also mentions that Starliner may not return to Earth for up to 210 days, which is almost seven months.
    • However, if you’re on a cross-country trip and throw a piston rod in some backwater mountain town, you aren’t technically stranded because you could get home somehow, but, in practical terms, you’re probably spending an indefinite amount of time in a cheap motel.
      • That’s almost seven months. And with NASA engineers saying that they are looking at weeks of testing and evaluation, they may need that endurance.
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication

      100%

      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

      Why are two Boeing astronauts stuck in space?

      Al Jazeera Media Network Al Jazeera Monday, 01 July 2024 21:12
      • Unique Points
        • Two NASA-trained astronauts, Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, are stuck aboard the International Space Station due to technical difficulties with their Boeing CST-100 Starliner spacecraft.
        • The Starliner experienced several helium leaks and a malfunctioning thruster during its 25-hour flight to the ISS.
        • Boeing has stated that only one thruster is currently offline and it does not present an issue for the return mission.
        • NASA and Boeing are using the astronauts' extra time aboard the ISS to further assess the problems with the thrusters.
      • Accuracy
        No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
      • 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

      100%

      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

      Starliner undergoing thruster testing before indefinite return flight

      United Press International (UPI) Saturday, 29 June 2024 18:07
      • Unique Points
        • The Boeing Starliner's service module contains thrusters, helium lines, and other systems that NASA needs to study before discarding the module upon re-entry and allowing it to burn up.
        • Helium leaks were discovered both before launch and upon arrival at the ISS. A rubber seal is suspected of failing, causing the problem.
        • There is no targeted return date for the Starliner until the testing is completed.
      • Accuracy
        No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
      • 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

      Why NASA and Boeing Are Being So Careful to Bring the Starliner Astronauts Home

      The New York Times Kenneth Chang Friday, 28 June 2024 22:41
      • Unique Points
        • Two NASA astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, have been delayed at the International Space Station due to malfunctioning thrusters on the Starliner spacecraft that are unique to this article and not mentioned in any of the other articles.
      • Accuracy
        • Two NASA astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, have been delayed at the International Space Station due to issues with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft.
        • Five of Starliner’s 28 thrusters behaved oddly as the spacecraft approached the space station.
      • 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