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    NASA and Boeing to Review Delayed Starliner Mission Ahead of Scheduled Departure from ISS

    nephilaBy Science & Tech 3 Mins Read

    Safety comes first. NASA and Boeing know that the safety of the astronauts is of the first concern. If they have to be delayed for many more days, that is how it is.

    On June 17, NASA announced a forthcoming review session to be held in collaboration with Boeing regarding the Starliner spacecraft’s mission, which has faced several delays. This meeting, scheduled for the following Tuesday, will focus on the conditions necessary for Starliner’s return from the International Space Station (ISS) as part of NASA’s ongoing Boeing Crew Flight Test.

    Set for 12 p.m. EDT, this pre-departure media teleconference aims to assess mission requirements and weather conditions at potential landing sites in the southwestern United States. These evaluations are crucial before confirming the spacecraft’s scheduled departure from the ISS. The Starliner’s return has been postponed until June 22 or possibly later, according to the latest update from NASA.

    The teleconference will feature key figures including Steve Stich, NASA’s Commercial Crew Program manager; Dana Weigel, NASA’s ISS Program manager; Mike Lammers, flight director at NASA’s Johnson Space Center; and Mark Nappi, Boeing’s vice president and manager for the commercial crew program.

    This delay marks the second time Starliner’s return has been pushed back. Initially, the spacecraft was set to depart the ISS on June 18. Complications have necessitated these delays as more data on the spacecraft needed to be gathered, extending the astronauts’ mission on the ISS.

    NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore, 61, and Suni Williams, 58, are part of this significant mission. They launched aboard the Boeing Starliner on June 5 and successfully docked with the ISS the next day. They were initially slated to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the Starliner within a week while on board the ISS. However, the need for additional data collection extended their stay.

    Their time at the ISS has been productive; apart from their primary mission tasks, Wilmore and Williams have been actively involved in the station’s maintenance, supporting spacewalks, and conducting scientific research. However, their return was further delayed to accommodate other ISS activities, including a spacewalk initially scheduled for June 13. This spacewalk was ultimately canceled shortly before commencement due to issues with spacesuit discomfort reported by the astronauts.

    Additionally, technical issues have arisen during their mission, including the discovery of four helium leaks and a service module valve that was not correctly sealed. These technical challenges have required attention before the spacecraft can safely return to Earth, contributing to the delays.

    Major Points

    • NASA, in collaboration with Boeing, will review the delayed Starliner spacecraft mission on Tuesday, assessing readiness for its departure from the ISS.
    • The review will focus on mission requirements and weather conditions at potential landing sites in the southwestern U.S., with a new tentative return date set for June 22 or later.
    • Key NASA and Boeing officials will participate in the media teleconference to discuss the spacecraft’s status and next steps.
    • Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who launched on June 5, have had their mission extended due to the need for additional data collection on the Starliner.
    • Technical issues including helium leaks and a valve malfunction in the service module have contributed to the delay in the spacecraft’s return to Earth.

    Kirk Volo – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News

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