Posted on 05/16/2024 7:01:24 AM PDT by Salman
Boeing's Starliner flight to the International Space Station was delayed again due to a helium leak. NASA, Boeing and the United Launch Alliance said in a statemen Tuesday that the launch date will now come no earlier than Tuesday at 4:43 p.m. EDT.
"Starliner teams are working to resolve a small helium leak detected in the spacecraft's service module traced to a flange on a single reaction control system thruster. Helium is used in spacecraft thruster systems to allow the thrusters to fire and is not combustible or toxic," they said.
Boeing's statement said that it is working with NASA "developing spacecraft testing and operational solutions to address the issue."
"As a part of the testing, Boeing will bring the propulsion system up to flight pressurization just as it does prior to launch, and then allow the helium system to vent naturally to validate existing data and strengthen flight rationale," it said.
The previous delay was to replace a bad oxygen tank pressure regulation valve on the Atlas V rocket's Centaur upper stage. That valve passed a test, but the new issue has delayed the launch again.
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(Excerpt) Read more at spacedaily.com ...
HElium is very expensive / in short supply,
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Biden recently sold the US helium stock pile - don’t know the buyer - China?
Reliability! Flash Gordon’s vehicles never had all these problems.
Wrong gas, there, pal.
Don’t forget “Muslim outreach”.
Was half-expecting some Austin Powers end-of-movie jokes, based on the Starliner’s phallic appearance for launch . . .
... a small helium leak detected in the spacecraft’s service module traced to a flange on a single reaction control system thruster.
It’s getting to the point where I don’t care anymore….
GET IT TOGETHER, NASA!
Recently?
You might be interested to know that helium is also the most leak-prone gas of them all. More so even than hydrogen. It's used as a trace gas to detect leaks in vacuum systems.
I have a better use for that helium- let’s all take a hit and TALK LIKE DONALD DUCK!
I am very disappointed in NASA. I cannot take them seriously anymore, and haven’t for some time.
They can’t do their original mission anymore but they are all over “man made climate change”.
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A few years ago the mission was muslim outreach.
They may or may not still do it, but Electric Boat used to send the management of the shipyard on every new submarine on its first deep dive.
If NASA wants to improve, they should start with something like that.
Science wasn’t my forte in high school 😏
My advice to the astronauts - don’t sit in an exit row.
Video....
So much sacrifice for a classic album sleeve photo.
Yep...good times bad times.
Oh really?
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