SpaceX To Rescue The Astronouts of Boeing's Starliner!

[Elderberry]

Space Trends 6/21/2024

2024 must be the worst year for Boeing as a company. From whistleblower scandals to the aircraft safety issues making headlines, Boeing's reputation has taken a significant hit. Now, something even more serious is happening: the lives of astronauts are at risk. Boeing had one chance to turn public anger into appreciation with the Starliner project, but it seems they've blown that chance too. Now, it's not just about their reputation; it's about the safety of the astronauts stuck at the International Space Station.

As Boeing and NASA continue to address the Starliner issues, there appears to be one very reliable option for the astronauts' return to Earth and that’s SpaceX. In this video, we will discuss how this situation will end with SpaceX successfully returning the astronauts, as it has done before. Before we delve any deeper, please make sure to subscribe to our channel for future updates on this and many more topics.

The launch of Boeing's Starliner has been a journey filled with multiple challenges, even before it successfully docked with the International Space Station.

Initially scheduled for earlier dates, the first crewed launch attempt on May 6 was scrubbed due to a valve issue in the Atlas V rocket, which regulates the pressure on the upper stage. This valve was found to be malfunctioning, leading to a last-minute cancellation. Following this, the launch was rescheduled but faced another delay on June 1 when a computer card issue in the ground launch sequencer caused an automatic hold just minutes before liftoff. Engineers identified a problem with the power supply unit in one of the ground control computers, necessitating the replacement of the faulty component before another attempt could be made.

Despite these problems, the Starliner successfully launched on June 5 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Aboard the spacecraft were veteran NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who were tasked with testing the vehicle’s systems in preparation for future operational missions. The spacecraft reached a safe and stable orbit, docking with the international space station on June 6.

Now, you might think the issue has ended when the spacecraft docked with the space station, but the challenges continued to mount with technical issues and delays that have extended the return mission.

Initially, the Starliner was scheduled to return on June 18, 2024, but this was delayed due to the need for additional preparations and spacewalks that were originally planned for June 13. These spacewalks were subsequently canceled due to spacesuit discomfort.

The return was then rescheduled to June 22, 2024. However, this date also faced postponements due to ongoing technical issues with the spacecraft. Specifically, the Starliner experienced helium leaks in its propulsion system, which required further investigation.

Again, On June 18, NASA announced another delay, pushing the return date to June 26, 2024. However, experts believe that the mission will be delayed even further as Boeing still does not seem to have fully understood the underlying problems.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNG1NZiiUSQ

[mystery-ak]

Starliner return to Earth delayed indefinitely after a slew of technical issues
By
Keely Bastow
June 22, 2024 11:50 am
The two astronauts onboard Boeing‘s first manned spaceship were supposed to be home already but have had their push date pushed back yet again, this time without a new date proposed.

Boeing’s Starliner launched on June 5 after many delays, and when it reached the International Space Station, 28 thrusters went out, causing docking difficulties. Since then, flight commander Butch Wilmore and pilot Suni Williams have been putting out various fires, including helium leaks. Now, all but one thruster is back online.

NASA said they are delaying the return to ensure they’ve thoroughly inspected the propulsion system.

“We are taking our time and following our standard mission management team process,” Steve Stich, manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, said in a statement. “We are letting the data drive our decision making relative to managing the small helium system leaks and thruster performance we observed during rendezvous and docking.”

This is Boeing’s first manned mission and has been long in the making. Ten years ago, NASA hired Boeing along with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to bring astronauts to and from the space station. The contract with Boeing ran the space agency $4.2 billion.

The capsule can safely remain docked at the orbiting laboratory for 45 days, which would be mid-to-late July. A spacewalk is scheduled for July 2, so a return won’t happen before then.

Still, the program manager of the program, Mark Nappi, said Wilmore and Williams’s feedback about the Starliner has been “overwhelmingly positive.”

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/space/3055686/starliner-return-to-earth-delayed-indefinitely/