This may become a job for Elon Musk to save… Just a thought as NASA continues to be very wary of the return trip for two astronauts.
Two astronauts will be stuck on the International Space Station (ISS) for at least another week as NASA and Boeing grapple with technical issues on their spacecraft. Astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, who arrived on the ISS on June 6 after a successful Boeing Starliner launch, were initially expected to return to Earth on June 22. However, this return has been delayed to June 26, and it could be postponed further if necessary.
Two astronauts’ return to Earth has been delayed as Boeing and NASA work to troubleshoot mechanical issues with Boeing’s Starliner.
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The Boeing Starliner is currently facing several mechanical problems. During its journey to the ISS, the spacecraft experienced issues with five thrusters and four helium leaks. A fifth helium leak has since been detected. NASA and Boeing teams are working diligently to ensure the spacecraft is safe before the astronauts embark on their return journey.
Boeing’s Starliner mechanical issues have NASA’s astronauts ‘stuck’ creating delay from ISS https://t.co/nmWDkCT6Yo pic.twitter.com/JtOMnB90nt
— SatNews 🛰 (@SatNewsMedia) June 20, 2024
Steve Stich, NASA’s Commercial Crew Program manager, emphasized the importance of thorough analysis and data review to guarantee the astronauts’ safe return. He expressed confidence in the Starliner’s ability to bring the crew home, stating, “We want to give our teams a little bit more time to look at the data, do some analysis, and make sure we’re really ready to come home. We do not see a scenario where Starliner is not going to be able to bring Butch and Suni home.”
The plan is to land the Starliner in the White Sands area of New Mexico. If the crew cannot make the June 26 landing, the next “prime opportunity” will be on July 2. Despite the delay, the astronauts are maintaining a positive attitude. Dana Weigel, manager of NASA’s International Space Station Program, noted that Williams and Wilmore are enjoying their time on the ISS and appreciate the Starliner spacecraft.
⚡️@Boeing‘s #Starliner stuck in space! #NASA delays return due to thruster issues, extending the mission from a week to nearly three weeks.
What’s happening there?👇https://t.co/byDyPaswJ1 pic.twitter.com/Xq5vIUqNzt
— OrbitalToday.com (@SpaceBiz1) June 20, 2024
Mark Nappi, vice president and program manager for the Commercial Crew Program at Boeing, reframed the delay as an opportunity rather than a setback. He remarked, “We look at that as an opportunity, and in this case, a privilege to stay on station and do more work.”
The Boeing Starliner mission, with Williams and Wilmore onboard, launched from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on June 5. Following a 24-hour flight, the spacecraft successfully docked with the ISS. This mission represents a significant step for Boeing, which aims for Starliner to compete with SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule. Since 2020, Crew Dragon has been NASA’s primary vehicle for sending crew members to the ISS from the US.
OceanGate’s Titan vs Boeing’s Starliner 🤔
Helium leaks and thruster problems prompt NASA and Boeing to delay astronauts’ return on company’s Starliner vehiclehttps://t.co/DDT0BtHIUB
— Unity (@csg0123) June 20, 2024
Boeing’s Starliner program has faced numerous challenges over the years. In 2019, an unmanned Starliner test failed due to software glitches, design problems, and management issues. A subsequent unmanned test in 2022 was successful, marking a crucial milestone for the program. The current mission with Williams and Wilmore is part of Boeing’s ongoing efforts to establish Starliner as a reliable vehicle for crewed space missions.
Key Points:
i. Two astronauts, Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, are stuck on the ISS due to technical issues with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft.
ii. The astronauts were initially expected to return on June 22 but will now remain on the ISS until at least June 26.
iii. The Boeing Starliner is experiencing several mechanical problems, including issues with five thrusters and five helium leaks.
iv. NASA and Boeing officials are working to ensure the spacecraft is safe before allowing the astronauts to return to Earth, with the next possible return date being July 2 if the June 26 landing is not feasible.
v. Despite the delay, the astronauts are using the extra time productively, and both NASA and Boeing are optimistic about the situation.
Lap Fu Ip – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
