Astronauts stuck in space at least another week as Boeing and NASA troubleshoot Starliner spacecraft issues

Yahoo! ^ | June 19, 2024 | Katie Hawkinson

[Red Badger]

Two astronauts will be stuck on the International Space Station for at least another week as experts at NASA and Boeing struggle to fix their spacecraft.

Astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore arrived on the ISS on June 6 after a successful Boeing Starliner launch. Expected to only stay a week, the two will not be arriving on Earth before June 26, NASA and Boeing officials said in a Tuesday press conference.

The Boeing Starliner is facing several mechanical problems. En route to the station, the crew reported problems with five thrusters and four helium leaks. A fifth helium leak has since cropped up. Crews are working to make sure its safe before the astronauts are put back on and return home.

This delay comes after NASA and Boeing crews announced June 22 as their return date.

“We want to give our teams a little bit more time to look at the data, do some analysis, and make sure we’re really ready to come home,” Steve Stich, NASA’s Commercial Crew Program manager, said on Tuesday.

Stich said they do not see a scenario “where Starliner is not going to be able to bring Butch and Suni home.”

Crews will attempt to land in the White Sands area of New Mexico next week. If the crew cannot make the June 26 landing, the next “prime opportunity” will be on July 2, .

Dana Weigel, manager of NASA’s International Space Station Program, said the crew is feeling positive.

“They love Starliner, they love being in the vehicle, they love being on ISS,” Weigel said on Tuesday. “I think, you know, if you ask Butch and Suni, they might want to stay for a long period of time.”

[SunkenCiv]

I think the decision to bring it back with no crew aboard has already been made, but in the meantime the teams are trying to get as much data as possible before it disintegrates on reentry (I'm streaming a live feed on a YT channel called "Moter World" right now). I doubt that they'll build another one or fly any they already have in process.

On Tuesday, June 18, Nasa and Boeing leadership held a teleconference to discuss the status of the agency’s Boeing Crew Flight Test. Additionally, they provided pre-departure details as teams prepare to return Nasa astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to Earth from the International Space Station.

The current tension mainly comes from two major hardware issues that Starliner has been facing, including five separate helium leaks and the failure of five out of 28 reaction control system thrusters.

NASA to Cancel Starliner 1st Operational Mission After CFT-1 Failure. Here's Why! | 8:16 | TECH MAP | 69.8K subscribers | 69.8K views | June 20, 2024

[allendale]

It seems very unDarwinian for men to be in space. No gravity, no air, no food, no water sources. What could possibly go wrong?

[silverleaf]

I believe this admin would sooner sacrifice our astronauts than work with the Russians to return them. There are 2 Cosmonauts now on the ISS, I believe, as well as several other spacecraft docked

[SaveFerris]

NEGATIVE! DON’T BLOW THE HATCH!

Hatch blown!!!

[cyclotic]

When my son was five, he told my wife he wanted to work at NASA. She said “Oh, you want to be an astronaut?” He replied that he wanted to build rockets.

Well, he’s now an Astronautical Engineer and works at NASA.

[Red Badger]

That would be totally embarrassing for Boeing to have to rely on Elon’s Starship for a rescue!................

[V_TWIN]

“I’m sure the Russians will let the American astronauts use one of the Soyuz craft”

If you think about it that idea might not be all thst far far-fetched.....it woukd be a win win for those that hate our country......Putin gets to show the world how weak we are for having to ask them to save our astronauts....and president taterhead and company get to show the world how weak we are for having to ask the russians to save our astronauts. See? Win win 🤷

[SaveFerris]

There are several delicious food items - through the straws

[V_TWIN]

Well, it may come to that

[Captain Compassion]

Call for Uber (Dragon).

[Ciaphas Cain]

That’s awesome!! So great to hear that he followed his dream :-)

[Netz]

Is there a link between the (WWII) “Greatest Generation” and American “Can do” approach from 1958-1981, where there were so many successes?
Where is the uncompromising standards of quality and execution in space exploration that we had way back when?
Are we too WOKE to accomplish great strides in Space or has the will dissipated?
Complex system demand complex planning. Are we cutting corners all the time? Is Boeing at fault and what about NASA?

[takebackaustin]

You’re a wag! Who knew !?

Bold prediction and funny meme!

[Empireoftheatom48]

Elon will just vamp up a Dragon rescue flight,

[Bob434]

As long as they are delicious, and not served via enema

[Samurai_Jack]

Paging Elon Musk, please pick up the red phone.

[cgbg]

“We want to give our teams a little bit more time to look at the data, do some analysis, and make sure we’re really ready to come home”

This has the makings of a great comedy—Dad announces this on an out of state road trip with the family.

;-)

[Campion]

NASA is the same whether we’re talking about SpaceX Crew Dragon or Boeing Starliner. Put the blame squarely where it belongs: Boeing. They started the same time SpaceX did, got more money than SpaceX did, and have produced a terrible product.

[SaveFerris]

You’ll feel like you were floating!

[cgbg]

Capricorn One was the movie that convinced me I did not want to be an astronaut.

:-)