Right now Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft is docked at the International Space Station, with two astronauts on board, but unfortunately this does not have a happy story.
After countless problems with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, the return of astronauts to Earth has been delayed again from the previous date of June 22 to the current date of June 26and we’ll see.
As previously reported, this ship is experiencing innumerable problems, especially helium leaks, but also issues with several thrusters not working at all.
This causes NASA to play against time to solve these problems so that the two astronauts return to Earth, or look for alternative plans.
“We’re taking a little more time to analyze what we’ve seen and make sure we have all the plans in place to bring the crew home,” he said. Steve StichNASA program director.
Although the two astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams They can spend a lot of time on the International Space Station because there are food reserves for everyone, the truth is that the ship can only be docked for a total of 45 days due to the limitation of fuel in the orbital laboratory.
But of course, NASA already has in mind what would happen if more than 45 days pass without the problems being resolved, and it is quite likely that they will have to turn to Boeing’s rival, SpaceX, to rescue them and bring them back to Earth.
“It is very unfortunate that Boeing’s Starliner, after so much delay in its flight, continues to have problems. For decades, Boeing was one of the most admired aerospace and defense companies. It is a true national tragedy,” he says Mike Gruntmanprofessor of astronautics at the University of Southern California.
“Multiple similar problems (helium leaks) with apparently similar components, as reported in the press, point to a systemic problem with the design or workmanship or testing or engineering of the system or a combination of both,” he explained. Gruntman.
Problems detected long ago
These problems are not a surprise, because the people at Boeing and NASA itself already noticed these failures with the Starliner. even before it took off at the beginning of the month.
In fact it is a mission that has faced years of delays and setbacks.
The mission was originally scheduled to launch on May 6, but they detected a valve leaking helium and canceled the mission.
The launch was set for June 1, but the capsule was stopped a few minutes before takeoff using computer cancellation systems. Finally, I took off from Florida on June 5.
In addition to the aforementioned helium leaks, five thrusters failed during the flightalthough four were later recovered.
NASA is optimistic and believes that there is no reason to believe that they will not be able to complete the mission.
Now it is expected that a successful return can take place on June 26, and for Boeing a very important contract with NASA is at stake that could be shattered.
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