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    Technical Setbacks Extend Astronauts’ Stay on ISS Aboard Boeing’s Starliner

    nephilaBy Science & Tech 4 Mins Read

    NASA keeps saying the astronauts aren’t stuck there, but what else do you call them not being able to return home? Safety is of the highest concern, so we are all patient.

    When astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams boarded Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft on June 5th for a test flight, they anticipated a brief mission to the International Space Station (ISS) and a timely return. However, unforeseen technical issues have indefinitely extended their stay in orbit. Boeing and NASA are diligently working to address these problems to ensure a safe return for the astronauts, emphasizing that they are not stranded but rather staying longer for safety checks.

    The Starliner spacecraft, which was designed to transport astronauts to and from the ISS, encountered several setbacks even before this mission. Initial tests revealed problems ranging from an incorrectly set onboard clock to malfunctioning thrusters and a stuck valve on the launching rocket. These issues delayed the crewed test flight, originally planned for last year, until this spring.

    During the approach to the ISS in June, Starliner faced new challenges as five of its 28 Reaction Control System thrusters failed, causing a temporary delay in docking. Although engineers managed to resolve these issues and successfully dock the spacecraft, four additional helium leaks were discovered, raising further concerns about the spacecraft’s operational integrity.

    NASA has now initiated comprehensive tests at the White Sands Test Facility to simulate launch, docking, and landing scenarios to troubleshoot and hopefully rectify the thruster and helium system issues. The agency is committed to a thorough evaluation before clearing Wilmore and Williams for their journey back to Earth. This process is expected to take several weeks, during which time NASA and Boeing are taking no risks with the crew’s safety.

    Starliner is equipped to remain in space for up to 210 days, and while the astronauts are safely housed at the ISS, they are prepared for contingencies. This was demonstrated when they took shelter in the spacecraft during a recent incident involving orbital debris from a disintegrated Russian satellite.

    Despite these challenges, Boeing remains dedicated to the Starliner program, which forms a crucial part of NASA’s plans for regular manned missions to the ISS. However, the continuous delays and technical problems have placed Boeing behind its competitors, notably SpaceX, which has already conducted multiple successful crewed missions to the ISS. Personally I think Elon Musk is needed to fix this situation. Would that be a sight!

    Key Points:

    i. Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams’ return from the ISS is delayed indefinitely due to technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft.

    ii. Initial problems with Starliner included a misconfigured clock and failed thrusters; recent issues involve stuck valves and helium leaks.

    iii. NASA is conducting extensive tests to diagnose and resolve these issues, with simulations planned to ensure the spacecraft can safely return the crew.

    iv. The astronauts are safe on the ISS, where Starliner can support an extended mission if necessary.

    v. Despite challenges, Boeing remains committed to resolving the spacecraft’s issues and continuing its partnership with NASA for future crewed missions to the ISS.

    RM Tomi – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News

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