Posted on 06/13/2024 5:12:45 AM PDT by Red Badger
Starliner teams detected a helium leak before launch, two more after liftoff, and now a fourth and fifth leak with the vehicle docked at the ISS. Oh my.
The Starliner spacecraft approaching the International Space Station. Photo: NASA
**************************************************************
Following an iffy docking at the International Space Station last week, Boeing managed to deliver a pair of NASA astronauts to the orbital lab. The stressful Starliner saga continues as the crew capsule developed more leaks in its service module. NASA is currently evaluating its ability to return the duo back to Earth.
In an update shared on Monday, NASA revealed that the Starliner teams are assessing the impact that five helium leaks would have on the remainder of the mission. “While Starliner is docked, all the manifolds are closed per normal mission operations preventing helium loss from the tanks,” the space agency wrote.
If you’ve been keeping track, there were three leaks on the Starliner spacecraft the last time we checked. Starliner teams had identified two new leaks on the spacecraft after it launched on June 5, in addition to a helium leak that was detected prior to liftoff. The team took some time to assess the issue before launching the capsule, but eventually Boeing and NASA decided to proceed with flying the crew on the leaky Starliner spacecraft without resolving the problem.
The spacecraft consists of a reusable crew capsule and an expendable service module. Helium is used in the spacecraft’s thruster systems to allow the thrusters to fire without being combustible or toxic. “We can handle this particular leak if that leak rate were to grow even up to 100 times,” Steve Stich, manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, said during a news conference before the Starliner launch.
Well, it’s getting there. Despite the leaks suggesting a larger issue with Starliner’s propulsion system, NASA remains confident in its commercial partner and is downplaying the spacecraft’s anomalies. “Engineers evaluated the helium supply based on current leak rates and determined that Starliner has plenty of margin to support the return trip from station,” NASA wrote in its update. “Only seven hours of free-flight time is needed to perform a normal end of mission, and Starliner currently has enough helium left in its tanks to support 70 hours of free flight activity following undocking.”
A “normal end of mission” is key here seeing as how Starliner had a hard time docking to the ISS. Starliner missed its first docking opportunity at 12:15 p.m. ET due to technical issues, prompting NASA to target another docking window an hour later. Five of the spacecraft thrusters failed during its approach, and four were subsequently recovered. The capsule finally docked with the ISS at 1:34 p.m. ET on June 6.
While it’s parked outside the ISS, engineers also are evaluating an RCS oxidizer isolation valve in the service module that’s not properly closed, according to NASA’s recent update. An RCS, or Reaction Control System, uses thrusters for attitude control and steering, while the oxidizer isolation valve regulates the flow of oxidizer, which is essential for burning fuel in the thrusters. Mission managers are continuing to work through the return plan, which includes assessments of flight rationale, fault tolerance, and potential operational mitigations for the remainder of the flight,” the space agency wrote.
Starliner is scheduled to undock from the orbital space station no earlier than June 18. The Crewed Flight Test is part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program and is meant to transport crew and cargo to and from the International Space Station (ISS) under a $4.3 billion contract with the space agency. NASA’s other commercial partner, SpaceX, has so far launched eight crews to the space station.
The spacecraft’s first crewed flight was meant to usher in regular trips to the ISS, but NASA may require Starliner to undergo some fixes before it approves the capsule for normal operations.
For more spaceflight in your life, follow us on X and bookmark Gizmodo’s dedicated Spaceflight page.
I wonder if Elon Musk and SpaceX will have to send up a rescue craft to save the Astronauts that are up there.
Diversity built
I thought the same thing.
That would be a huge embarrassment for Boeing and their pals at NASA..................
There are Helium leaks and there are HELIUM LEAKS.
I'm assuming that Boeing is dealing with the former.
They sent the thing up even with concerns about leaks before it even took off? The crew must be expendable; straight white guys?
How is that DEI program working for Boeing’s assembly and quality control teams?
That reads like the Go-NoGo decision to send them up was a roll of the dice. If the capsule leaks like that now, is it safe for the crew to return in it given the stresses it will undergo during re-entry?
It would be the ultimate embarrassment to have to be saved by SpaceX, in addition the current craft that is leaking would have to be cut loose to make room for the emergency craft, if the leaking craft burned up on reentry, that would a disaster they may not recover from.
Made by Cracker Box!!
Remember: This Equipment Was Provided By The Lowest Bidder
We regularly have folks here on FR advocating for hydrogen-powered cars. Same issue there, it’s a really small molecule (atom in the case of helium), and it really wants to leak.
This sounds exactly like the Challenger disaster.
Nearly 40 years and they are still doing the same crap..............
Send Dragon to the rescue from Bezo’s folly.
A David Bowie song is playing in my head.......................
NASA is too busy on DEI stuff and reaching out to moozlums. Anyone who questions these government employees is obviously creating an insurrection against “democracy”. Arrest someone...anyone.
Lowest bidder, highest briber.
Don’t forget the KC-X competition.
One white guy and one white female..........
Barry E. Wilmore
Sunita Williams
The ultimate embarrassment would be asking Russia for help.
Cue the Adagio from Gayane.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.