Additional time allows for examination of Starliner's thrusters and investigation of helium leak issue in propulsion system
NASA delays Starliner's return to Earth due to technical issues with thrusters and helium leaks
NASA remains confident of safe return despite technical issues
Spacecraft set to depart from ISS at 10:10 p.m., on June 25, and land at White Sands Space Harbor by 4:51 a.m., on June 26 with backup landing date scheduled for July 2
Starliner, carrying NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, initially scheduled to return on June 18 but now targeting departure on June 25
Third delay in Starliner's return mission due to five helium leaks in propulsion system and one malfunctioning thruster that produced 'strange signature'
In a recent development, NASA has delayed the return of Boeing's Starliner spacecraft to Earth. The spacecraft, carrying NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, was initially scheduled to return on June 18 but the date has been pushed back multiple times due to technical issues. The new target departure is no earlier than Tuesday, June 25. This decision allows for additional time to examine Starliner's thrusters and investigate helium leaks in the propulsion system. During their extended stay at the International Space Station, engineers will analyze data from the malfunctioning thruster and work to resolve the helium leak issue. The spacecraft is set to depart from the International Space Station at 10:10 p.m., on June 25, and land at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico by 4:51 a.m., on June 26. A backup landing date has also been scheduled for July 2.
This marks the third delay in Starliner's return mission as engineers work to resolve technical issues that have arisen during its flight to the International Space Station. The spacecraft encountered five helium leaks in its propulsion system, and one of its thrusters produced a 'strange signature' and will not be used during undocking and deorbiting maneuvers. Despite these setbacks, NASA remains confident that Starliner will return to Earth safely.
Boeing is collaborating closely with NASA throughout this process to ensure the safe return of the spacecraft and its astronauts. The companies have extended the Starliner's stay at the International Space Station as they continue their analysis of these technical issues.
Two veteran astronauts, Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, will extend their stay on the International Space Station until at least June 26 due to issues with the Boeing-built Starliner spacecraft.
The service module, which will not be returning with the mission, contains cylindrical attachment that sits at the bottom of the spacecraft where most of issues occurred.
NASA and Boeing officials are working to review flight data and analyze problems. Thruster issues may be caused by overheating affecting fuel burn during rapid firing.
Of the five service module thrusters that failed during flight, all but one have been recovered.
Accuracy
The astronauts arrived at the space station on June 6 for a weeklong visit but have encountered malfunctioning thrusters and helium leaks.
It is not yet clear what caused helium leaks, but they could also be related to thruster issues. There are 28 reaction control thrusters on Starliner’s service module and 12 on the Starliner vehicle itself.
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains an appeal to authority and a potential false dilemma. The appeal to authority is evident in the quote from Steve Stich, NASA's Commercial Crew Program manager: “So far, we don’t see any scenario where Starliner is not going to be able to bring Butch and Suni home.” This statement is given weight because of Stich's position, even though no specific data or reasoning is provided. The potential false dilemma comes from the framing of the issues with the spacecraft: “Keeping the vehicle in orbit is essential to studying the issues, which occurred on the Starliner spacecraft’s service module — a cylindrical attachment that sits at the bottom of the spacecraft. The service module will be jettisoned and discarded as the capsule returns home from space.” This suggests that only by keeping the vehicle in orbit can engineers study the issues, implying a binary choice between studying the issues and returning home. However, it is not clear whether this is an inherent limitation of the situation or simply a convenient choice for NASA and Boeing.
So far, we don’t see any scenario where Starliner is not going to be able to bring Butch and Suni home. - Steve Stich, NASA's Commercial Crew Program manager
Keeping the vehicle in orbit is essential to studying the issues, which occurred on the Starliner spacecraft’s service module — a cylindrical attachment that sits at the bottom of the spacecraft. The service module will be jettisoned and discarded as the capsule returns home from space.
NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are aboard Boeing’s Starliner but their return to Earth was pushed back.
The new target departure is no earlier than Tuesday, June 25.
They would be landing at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico. A backup landing date would be July 2.
NASA wants to add more time to look at Starliner’s thrusters and helium leaks.
Five of its thrusters went offline, forcing Boeing to troubleshoot the issue. Four of the five were brought back online.
Over the weekend, NASA fired the thrusters while attached to the station; all worked well. However, they did not test-fire one that didn’t come back online during flight - out of abundance of caution it won’t be used in return flight.
NASA originally said Starliner would come home June 18, then pushed the landing back to June 22. Aside from technical issues, NASA says the mission has satisfied 77 of the original 87 flight test objectives. The remaining ten will be evaluated during undocking and landing.
NASA is confident Starliner will return to Earth safely.
NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are assigned to fly NASA’s Boeing Starliner and United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket to the International Space Station on June 26, 2024 at 4:51 am.
The duo will remain docked at the International Space Station for about two weeks.
They will evaluate the new spacecraft and its systems before returning to Earth in the Western United States.
Accuracy
The astronauts arrived at the space station on June 6 for a weeklong visit but have encountered malfunctioning thrusters and helium leaks.
They will remain docked at the International Space Station for about two weeks.
Of the five service module thrusters that failed during flight, all but one have been recovered.
