Helium leak traced to flange in Starliner's helium propulsion system
Launch scheduled for June 1 with docking to International Space Station and return to Earth afterwards
Leak believed to not affect Starliner's ability to fly safely
NASA and Boeing are moving forward with Starliner launch despite helium leak and design vulnerability
NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams set to be first crew members aboard Starliner
New design vulnerability discovered that could impact Starliner's ability to fire engines for re-entry
Starliner Crew Flight Test is a major development test for NASA's Commercial Crew Program
In a recent development, NASA and Boeing are moving forward with the launch of the Starliner crew capsule, scheduled for June 1, despite a helium leak in its propulsion system. The leak was traced to a flange where propellant lines come together in the spacecraft's helium propulsion system. NASA and Boeing believe that even if the suspect rubber seal in the plumbing leading to one specific thruster failed completely or if the leak rate increased up to 100 times, the Starliner could still fly safely.
The Starliner Crew Flight Test is a significant milestone for NASA's Commercial Crew Program, as it aims to serve as the final major development test of the capsule before delivering U.S. astronauts to and from the International Space Station for routine missions.
NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are set to be the first crew members aboard Boeing's Starliner spacecraft and ULA's Atlas V rocket, launching from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
Following the launch, Starliner will dock to the International Space Station before returning to Earth for a parachute and airbag-assisted landing in the southwestern United States.
Despite these developments, Boeing continues to face challenges with its spacecraft. A new problem, a 'design vulnerability,' has been discovered that could impact Starliner's ability to fire its engines for re-entry. The launch remains tentatively scheduled for June 1.
Boeing and NASA are moving forward with the launch of the Starliner capsule, set to carry U.S. astronauts for the first time, despite a stable leak in the spacecraft’s propulsion system.
The mission, known as the Starliner Crew Flight Test, is intended to serve as the final major development test of the capsule by delivering a pair of NASA astronauts to and from the International Space Station before flying routine missions.
After analysis, NASA and Boeing believe the source of the leak is a seal in one of the flanges of the spacecraft’s helium propulsion system.
NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams will be the first to launch aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft and ULA’s Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
Accuracy
Boeing and NASA believe the source of the leak is a seal in one of the flanges of the spacecraft's helium propulsion system.
The launch is tentatively scheduled for June 1 from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
NASA, Boeing, and ULA are hosting a joint media teleconference on May 24 at 11 a.m. EDT to discuss the progress of the Boeing Crew Flight Test for Starliner’s first crewed flight to the International Space Station.
NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams will be the first to launch aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft and ULA’s Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
Following launch, Starliner will dock to the space station before returning to Earth about a week later for a parachute and airbag-assisted landing in the southwestern United States.
Accuracy
Boeing and NASA teams are dealing with a helium leak in Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft.
A new problem, a ‘design vulnerability’, has been discovered that could impact the spacecraft’s ability to fire its engines for re-entry.
The launch is tentatively scheduled for June 1 from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
This is the latest in a series of setbacks in plans to take people to orbit aboard the Starliner spacecraft.
