NASA Astronauts Stuck at ISS: Boeing Starliner's Thruster Issues Delay Return Date

White Sands, New Mexico, New Mexico, USA United States of America
Boeing and NASA are conducting extensive testing on Starliner's thruster technology at White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico to understand root cause of issues before allowing spacecraft to return to Earth.
International Space Station has been continuously crewed for over 24 years and serves as unique scientific platform conducting experiments across various disciplines.
NASA officials have stated that astronauts are not stranded and in a stable situation aboard the ISS.
NASA's Commercial Crew Program (CCP) instrumental in advancing commercial crew capabilities, reducing reliance on Russia for space travel.
Starliner spacecraft, designed by Boeing, is new type compared to SpaceX's Crew Dragon. NASA and Boeing decided not to use one thruster during landing due to performance concerns.
The initial plan was for a ten-day stay at the ISS but return date remains uncertain due to thruster performance concerns and helium leaks.
Two NASA astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, are currently residing at the International Space Station (ISS) due to unexpected issues with Boeing Starliner's thruster technology.
NASA Astronauts Stuck at ISS: Boeing Starliner's Thruster Issues Delay Return Date

Two NASA astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, are currently residing at the International Space Station (ISS) after their Boeing Starliner spacecraft encountered unexpected issues during its Crew Flight Test mission in late June 2024. The initial plan was for a ten-day stay at the ISS, but due to thruster performance concerns and helium leaks, the astronauts' return date remains uncertain.

Boeing and NASA are conducting extensive testing on Starliner's thruster technology at White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico. The teams aim to fully understand the root cause of these issues before allowing the spacecraft to make its way back to Earth. NASA officials have stated that the astronauts are not stranded and that they are in a stable situation aboard the ISS.

The Starliner spacecraft, designed by Boeing, is a new type of spacecraft compared to SpaceX's Crew Dragon. The Crew Flight Test mission was planned with flexibility to accommodate unexpected events in space. NASA and Boeing have decided not to use one of the thrusters during landing due to performance concerns.

The International Space Station has been continuously crewed for over 24 years, serving as a unique scientific platform for conducting experiments across various disciplines. The station is also a cornerstone of space commerce, with commercial partnerships and research initiatives that benefit both NASA and private companies.

NASA's Commercial Crew Program (CCP) has been instrumental in advancing commercial crew capabilities, reducing the reliance on Russia for space travel. The program aims to ensure safe, reliable, and cost-effective access to low-Earth orbit for U.S. government and private sector customers.

Stay tuned for updates on the Starliner mission as NASA and Boeing work towards a successful resolution.


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Confidence

91%

Doubts
  • Are all thrusters affected by performance concerns or just one?
  • Is it confirmed that helium leaks are the only cause of the uncertain return date?

Sources

93%

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 spacecraft still doesn't have a landing date, NASA says

Space.com Elizabeth Howell Friday, 28 June 2024 16:58
  • Unique Points
    • Boeing’s Starliner spacecapsule is still docked at the International Space Station (ISS) due to thruster issues and helium leaks.
    • Starliner’s 10-day Crew Flight Test mission with NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams was designed with flexibility for unexpected events in space.
    • NASA and Boeing have decided not to use at least one of those thrusters during landing due to performance concerns.
    • Starliner is a new spacecraft type from Boeing, as opposed to SpaceX’s Crew Dragon which has completed more missions.
  • Accuracy
    • Boeing's Starliner spacecraft is still docked at the International Space Station (ISS) due to thruster issues and helium leaks.
    • The initial 10-day flight for Starliner was extended into the summer after launching on June 5.
    • Starliner's final approach to the ISS during docking on June 6 was affected by helium leak and five misbehaving thrusters.
  • Deception (80%)
    The article provides detailed information about the issues with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft during its docking with the International Space Station. The author does not make any editorializing or pontification statements, and there is no emotional manipulation or sensationalism in the article. However, there are instances of selective reporting as some details about the root cause of the helium leak and thruster issues are not mentioned, which could potentially mislead readers. The author also refers to previous articles she has written for Space.com without disclosing that she is a staff writer for the site.
    • NASA and Boeing have decided, however, not to use at least one of those thrusters during landing due to performance concerns.
    • The author's reporting includes multiple exclusives with the White House and Office of the Vice-President of the United States.
  • Fallacies (95%)
    The author uses the phrase 'we're not going to target a specific date until we get that testing completed' which is an example of an appeal to ignorance fallacy. The author is stating that they will not set a landing date until they have completed testing, but this does not mean that there are no potential landing dates or that the tests will take as long as necessary. It simply means that they have not yet determined a date based on the current information available.
    • We're not going to target a specific date until we get that testing completed, and we look at the fault tree, and then we understand the path for it.
  • 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, Boeing to Provide Commercial Crew, Space Station Update

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Friday, 28 June 2024 23:25
  • Unique Points
    • NASA and Boeing will participate in a media teleconference at 2 p.m. EDT on June 28 to discuss the agency’s Crew Flight Test and recent International Space Station operations.
    • The International Space Station is in its 24th year of continuously crewed operations, serving as a unique scientific platform for conducting experiments across multiple disciplines.
    • NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams conducted an end-to-end test of the Starliner system, docking at the International Space Station on June 6.
  • Accuracy
    • The Starliner's propulsion system performance is being evaluated before returning from the International Space Station.
    • Starliner is docked at the International Space Station due to thruster issues and helium leaks.
    • The initial 10-day flight for Starliner was extended into the summer.
  • 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

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

Boeing delays Starliner return by 'weeks' for testing, NASA says astronauts aren't stranded

CNBC News Michael Sheetz Friday, 28 June 2024 19:10
  • Unique Points
    • Boeing and NASA are conducting new testing on Starliner’s thruster technology at White Sands, New Mexico
    • Starliner is designed for missions up to 210 days long
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (95%)
    The article contains some instances of appeals to authority and inflammatory rhetoric, but no formal or blatant logical fallacies were found. The author quotes NASA officials emphasizing the safety of the Starliner spacecraft and its crew, as well as their decision to extend the mission for testing purposes. These statements are not fallacious in themselves, but rather an expression of authority and confidence in the capabilities of NASA and Boeing.
    • ]We think the testing could take a couple of weeks. We're trying to replicate the inflight conditions as best we can on the ground[
    • Officials noted their rationale for keeping Starliner at the ISS while the White Sands testing is conducted: Boeing and NASA say their teams can perform thruster tests more frequently on the ground, as well as physically inspect the thrusters after test firings.
    • Agency and company representatives repeatedly expressed confidence in the Boeing spacecraft's safety.
  • 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

Boeing says NASA's 'stranded' astronaut crisis averted, reveals why homecoming is delayed

Fox News Channel Chris Eberhart Friday, 28 June 2024 23:28
  • Unique Points
    • Boeing says NASA’s astronaut crisis is averted.
    • Repairs to helium leaks in the propulsion system and the faulty thrusters are nearly complete.
    • The upcoming Starliner flight crew members homecoming is delayed due to data collection for fully understanding what went wrong with the troubled service module, rather than any safety concerns.
    • NASA has paid almost $2 billion to Russia for 30 astronauts’ travel since retiring the shuttle in 2011.
    • The Starliner spacecraft can stay docked at the ISS for 45 days while repairs are completed.
  • Accuracy
    • Boeing says NASA's astronaut crisis is averted.
    • The upcoming Starliner flight crew members homecoming is delayed due to data collection for fully understanding what went wrong with the troubled service module.
    • Starliner is docked at the ISS due to thruster issues and helium leaks.
  • 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

95%

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

Update On Astronauts Thought To Be 'Stranded'

The Weather Channel The Weather Friday, 28 June 2024 23:28
  • Unique Points
    • Two astronauts are currently at the International Space Station
    • NASA is examining issues with the Boeing spacecraft that carried the astronauts
    • The astronauts have no firm return date home
  • Accuracy
    • Starliner is a new spacecraft type from Boeing
  • 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