Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft has experienced a number of problems, the latest of which is currently preventing some astronauts from leaving the International Space Station. And yet, NASA and Boeing want to be reassuring.
Boeing’s Starliner, which has justsending astronauts into space for the first time, will have experienced many problems. Indeed, the launch of the vessel, which was initially scheduled to take place on May 6, was postponed for the first time due to a technical problem. Then, a helium leak prompted Boeing and NASA to postpone launch for the second time. The shot was finally carried out on June 5 last year.
If the launch went well, New leaks have been detected as the Starliner docked with the ISS. This problem therefore pushed NASA to postpone the departure of certain astronautswho must remain on board the orbiting laboratory, in order to allow technicians to identify the problems plaguing the Boeing spacecraft.
Starliner: NASA wants to be reassuring
And yet, NASA and Boeing try to put the disappointments encountered by the Starliner into perspective, affirming that they used “ the luxury of time » to learn as much as possible about the capsule before it returns to Earth. The mission leaders also refused to communicate a return date official for the Starliner crew.
Steve Stich, manager of NASA’s commercial crew program, says: “ I want to make it clear that we are in no rush to get home. The station is a nice and safe place where we can stop and take time to work on the vehicle and make sure we’re ready to go home. »
The two Starliner astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, have been aboard the ISS for nearly three weeks, although the mission was only supposed to last about a week. NASA and Boeing are currently testing the various systems on the spacecraft, in order to allow a safe return.
The manager specifies: “ We are currently reviewing the timing of this test and then reviewing the [données] of this test. I would say that this is what will allow us to determine the date of the landing. »
Source : techcrunch
