NASA Astronauts Extend Stay at ISS Due to Boeing Starliner's Propulsion System Issues

Houston, Texas, United States, Texas, United States United States of America
Boeing leaders initially suggested that the astronauts might return at the end of July, but further tests are needed to ensure the safety and functionality of Starliner's reaction control system (RCS) thrusters.
NASA has extended Williams and Wilmore's stay aboard the ISS indefinitely.
The spacecraft encountered problems with its propulsion system involving helium leaks and malfunctioning thrusters during its approach to the ISS.
The Starliner spacecraft faced several delays due to minor issues with its Atlas 5 booster, a countdown computer problem, and a small helium leak in the capsule's aft service module.
Two NASA astronauts, Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore, have been unexpectedly staying at the International Space Station (ISS) since late June due to issues with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft.
NASA Astronauts Extend Stay at ISS Due to Boeing Starliner's Propulsion System Issues

Two NASA astronauts, Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore, have been unexpectedly staying at the International Space Station (ISS) since late June due to issues with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft. The spacecraft encountered problems with its propulsion system involving helium leaks and malfunctioning thrusters during its approach to the ISS.

Boeing leaders initially suggested that the astronauts might return at the end of July, but further tests are needed to ensure the safety and functionality of Starliner's reaction control system (RCS) thrusters. NASA has extended Williams and Wilmore's stay aboard the ISS indefinitely.

The Starliner spacecraft, which was launched on June 5, faced several delays due to minor issues with its Atlas 5 booster, a countdown computer problem, and a small helium leak in the capsule's aft service module. After extensive analysis by NASA and Boeing engineers, it was determined that the helium leak was not a safety concern.

Despite these challenges, both astronauts remain confident and are enjoying their extended stay on the ISS. They have been conducting various experiments and maintaining the space station while they wait for Starliner to be ready for their return journey.

NASA is currently testing one of Starliner's RCS thrusters at its White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico to ensure its performance during the return journey. The test results will help engineers understand the root cause of the helium leaks and malfunctioning thrusters experienced during Starliner's approach to the ISS.

The Boeing Starliner spacecraft is a crucial part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, which aims to provide safe, reliable, and cost-effective transportation for astronauts to and from the ISS. The program also includes SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft.


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Confidence

90%

Doubts
  • Are there any other significant delays or issues with the Starliner spacecraft that could further impact its timeline for returning the astronauts?

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

Here's the real deal with Boeing's Starliner right now

Mashable Inc. Elisha Sauers Saturday, 13 July 2024 09:00
  • Unique Points
    • Boeing Starliner is a spaceship built by Boeing under a $4.2 billion NASA contract to ferry astronauts back and forth to the International Space Station.
    • Starliner encountered problems with its propulsion system right before docking, involving helium leaks and weak thrust due to five of the 28 thrusters malfunctioning.
    • Boeing leaders told reporters on July 10 that the astronauts might return at the end of this month.
    • The Starliner spacecraft experienced helium leaks in its propulsion system and trouble with maneuvering thrusters, prompting NASA to extend Williams and Wilmore’s stay aboard the International Space Station indefinitely.
  • Accuracy
    • Boeing Starliner remains in the testing phase, while SpaceX has run its Crew Dragon as a taxi for NASA since 2020.
    • Four of the five faulty thrusters have been reactivated.
    • The crew initially was expected to stay at the space station for eight days, but due to problems with Starliner, they have remained in orbit for an extra month.
  • 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

Starliner crew confident spacecraft will bring them safely home – Spaceflight Now

Spaceflight Now Thursday, 11 July 2024 00:00
  • Unique Points
    • Boeing Starliner astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry ‘Butch’ Wilmore spoke to reporters on June 29, stating that they are confident the spacecraft will safely bring them back to Earth.
    • The Starliner spacecraft experienced helium leaks in its propulsion system and trouble with maneuvering thrusters, prompting NASA to extend Williams and Wilmore’s stay aboard the International Space Station indefinitely.
    • NASA insists that the crew is not ‘stranded’ in space, and both astronauts agree with this assessment. They are enjoying their extended stay on the ISS.
    • The Starliner was launched on June 5, a month later than planned due to minor problems with the crew’s Atlas 5 booster, trouble with a countdown computer and a small helium leak in the capsule’s aft service module.
    • After extensive analysis, NASA and Boeing managers decided the helium leak was not a safety threat and the Starliner was cleared for launch as is.
    • One thruster was deemed unusable going forward, but the others were successfully test fired later. This gave engineers confidence that the jets needed for post-undocking maneuvers and de-orbit rocket firing would work as needed.
    • Engineers suspect that the helium leaks experienced were related to high temperatures and rapidity of firings during final approach. They are trying to duplicate those conditions in ground testing.
  • Accuracy
    • The Starliner spacecraft experienced helium leaks in its propulsion system and trouble with maneuvering thrusters.
    • Four more helium leaks developed once in orbit and en route to the space station. The Starliner’s flight computer also took several aft-facing maneuvering jets offline due to telemetry not matching pre-set operating parameters.
    • One thruster was deemed unusable going forward, but the others were successfully test fired later.
  • 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

92%

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 speak out about the leaking Boeing Starliner spaceship

Business Insider Morgan McFall-Johnsen Sunday, 14 July 2024 09:05
  • Unique Points
    • NASA astronauts Williams and Wilmore flew into space aboard Boeing’s Starliner spaceship on June 5, 2023
    • Five leaks found in Starliner’s helium supply system
    • NASA is testing an RCS thruster at NASA’s White Sands Test Facility to ensure its performance on the return journey
  • Accuracy
    • Two RCS thrusters unexpectedly shut down during approach to the International Space Station (ISS)
    • One thruster was deemed unusable going forward
  • Deception (70%)
    The article contains quotes from the astronauts describing their experience with the glitchy spaceship in positive terms before and after the issues arose. This can be considered selective reporting as it only reports details that support the author's position that NASA and Boeing are not stranded, but rather working through issues. The article also mentions NASA's discovery of five leaks in Starliner's helium supply without disclosing any sources for this information.
    • Related stories The astronauts took manual control for over an hour while ground teams were troubleshooting. Ultimately, five RCS thrusters unexpectedly shut down. They got a few thrusters back, Wilmore said, but things weren’t the same.
    • NASA is working to understand all the issues on the spacecraft and get more data to ensure the return trip will be safe.
    • The astronauts were pressed back into their seats as the rocket roared through the atmosphere, then experienced the relief of microgravity as Starliner slid into orbit. Then, in space, they began checking the spaceship’s operational capabilities and it performed unbelievably well.
  • 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

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

Starliner return eyed for end of July as tests continue

Space News Site: https://spacenews.com/lunar-time-standard/ Jeff Foust Wednesday, 10 July 2024 21:19
  • Unique Points
    • NASA and Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft is currently docked at the International Space Station.
    • ,
  • Accuracy
    • Four out of five shut-down RCS thrusters were restored to allow docking to proceed, while one remains offline.
    • Additional tests are being run on an extra module on Earth to better understand the thruster issues.
  • 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