New Target Date Set for Boeing Starliner Launch Following Helium Leak Incident
Following reports of a minor helium leak in the spacecraft's service module, the launch date for the eagerly awaited Boeing Starliner mission has been rescheduled. Stay updated on the latest developments in this highly anticipated space mission.
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The highly anticipated inaugural crewed mission of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft has been rescheduled once again.
Starliner’s first flight carrying astronauts was initially scheduled for May 21 but has been postponed to May 25 as mission teams require more time to complete spacecraft closeout processes and flight rationale, according to NASA.
The delay follows the discovery of a small helium leak in the service module of the spacecraft. The leak was traced to a flange on a single reaction control system thruster, where helium is utilized to enable the thrusters to function. Despite the issue, tests have indicated that the leak does not pose a threat to the mission. NASA's latest update states that the additional time before launch will allow specialists to further assess the situation.
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According to a news release from the space agency, a pressure test conducted on May 15 revealed a stable leak in the spacecraft's helium system flange. However, it was determined that this leak would not pose a risk during the flight. The testing also showed that the rest of the thruster system in the service module is effectively sealed. Boeing teams are currently working on developing operational procedures to ensure that the system maintains sufficient performance capability and appropriate redundancy during the flight.
Boeing’s spacecraft is getting closer to being deemed ready for routine operations as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. This important step, known as the Crew Flight Test, could be the last major milestone before the spacecraft is fully approved.
The historic crewed flight was almost ready to launch on May 6th. However, about two hours before liftoff, the mission had to be postponed. This was due to a problem with a valve on the second stage of the Atlas V rocket, which is the upper portion that the Starliner spacecraft will ride to space.
Boeing said that the NASA astronauts, Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, who will crew the mission to the International Space Station for a week, had been in preflight quarantine. They returned to Houston on May 10 to spend time with their families. According to the latest release from the space agency, Williams and Wilmore will fly back to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida closer to the new launch date.
Boeing has historic aims for the mission.
The Crew Flight Test represents a ten-year journey for Boeing, as they worked towards creating a spacecraft capable of transporting astronauts to and from the International Space Station as part of NASA's commercial program.
During a recent news conference, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson highlighted that this launch would only be the sixth inaugural flight of a crewed spacecraft in the history of the United States.
Boeing created the Starliner to compete with SpaceX's popular Crew Dragon capsule and provide more choices for sending astronauts to the space station. "It all began with Mercury, then came Gemini, followed by Apollo, the space shuttle, then (SpaceX's) Dragon — and now Starliner," he explained.
On board, Williams will also make history as the first woman to embark on such a mission.
A rocky start
Starliner has faced delays due to development issues, test flight problems, and other setbacks. Meanwhile, SpaceX has emerged as NASA's preferred choice for transporting astronauts.
On May 6, Williams and Wilmore were ready for launch aboard the Starliner capsule, but engineers discovered an issue and had to stop the launch.
The United Launch Alliance team, known for constructing the Atlas V rocket, discovered a faulty pressure regulation valve on a liquid oxygen tank. After replacing the valve, a new problem arose with a helium leak on the Boeing spacecraft mounted on the rocket, leading to additional delays.
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If the spacecraft launches as scheduled next week, it will detach from the Atlas V rocket once it reaches orbit. The Starliner will then use its own engines to propel itself. It is expected to take more than 24 hours for the vehicle to reach the space station.
Williams and Wilmore will spend approximately a week at the space station, where they will join the seven astronauts and cosmonauts already present. Meanwhile, the Starliner will remain attached outside the station.
The history-making crew will come back home on the same Starliner capsule. It will land using parachutes at specific locations in the southwestern United States.
This report includes contributions from CNN's Jackie Wattles and Ashley Strickland.
Editor's P/S:
The upcoming crewed mission of Boeing's Starliner spacecraft has faced further delays due to technical issues, including a helium leak and a faulty valve. Despite these setbacks, NASA remains optimistic and has rescheduled the launch for May 25th. The mission aims to transport astronauts to the International Space Station, a significant milestone in Boeing's commercial program.
The Starliner's journey has been marked by challenges, but Boeing is determined to prove its spacecraft's capabilities. SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule has taken the lead in astronaut transportation, but Starliner's successful launch and operation would provide NASA with more options and increase competition in the commercial space industry. The upcoming mission is not only about technical achievements but also about the historic opportunity for Suni Williams to become the first woman to embark on such a mission.
