Boeing has made history by launching the Starliner space module. The ship sent two astronauts heading to the International Space Station (ISS). The Starliner module has suffered certain launch delays and the mission has been plagued with problems.
The ship was going to launch on May 6, but Boeing detected the first helium leaks in one of the valves. The company postponed the mission to June 1, but the capsule was stopped minutes before takeoff from the computers. Finally, It was launched into orbit on June 5 at 10:52.
Starliner would return to Earth on June 18, but Some last-minute changes have forced Boeing to delay the return mission. The ship has had problems with several of its thrusters and a helium leak that threatens to push fuel into the propulsion system.
NASA has collaborated with the private company and is in charge of reviewing the technical problems of the ship. Both organizations are studying how to bring astronauts back home.
Boeing warned that the mission could be failed
Boeing space module It is the first manned spacecraft that the company has launched into orbit. The goal was to reach the International Space Station, where they would remain for eight days. The aerospace company has had to delay its plans and the astronauts are trapped on the ISS.
The crew is experienced on board. Sunita Williams last traveled off Earth in 2012 and Barry Wilmore traveled in 2015. The astronauts are “stranded in space” but are not in danger at the moment.
Boeing faces serious problems that could prevent the ship from returning to Earth, but the crew could wait on the ISS like any other astronaut. The International Space Station It can accommodate up to eight ships at a time and has the necessary supplies.
What if the food runs out? This would not be a problem for astronauts, since supplies can be sent from Earth. Williams and Wilmore have spent less than two weeks on the ISS, but Peggy Whitson holds the record with 665 days on board, reports Fast Company.
Boeing has preferred to take extreme precautions
Starliner has had a helium leak for a few days, but Boeing did not back down on its plans to return to the beginning. These failures were no surprise, the company and NASA itself noticed these leaks even before the spacecraft took off at the beginning of the month.
The real problem came when the astronauts tried to activate the system to return to Earth: five thrusters stopped working and had to be restarted.
NASA has clarified that small helium losses would not prevent safe return in the event of an emergency. There is no rush for the astronauts to return home, so Boeing is taking advantage to collect as much data on board as possible.
Starliner cleared to return to Earth
The evolution of helium leaks and the performance of the propellants will determine the return schedule. Starliner is cleared to return to Earth at any timebut the aerospace company has preferred to take extreme precautions on its first mission.
The initial date for the return trip was June 18, then it was June 26, and now NASA is starting to talk about July. “There are a lot of supplies in orbit and the station schedule is relatively open until mid-August”according to a NASA statement.
What if Starliner loses return authorization? Boeing could lose permission to return to Earth if the situation worsens, but SpaceX could send a ship to the ISS to bring astronauts.
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Tags: NASA, failures, International Space Station
