NASA Extends Astronauts’ ISS Stay as Engineers Address Starliner’s Helium Leaks and Thruster Issues
New Delhi: NASA astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita Williams are extending their stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as Boeing and NASA engineers work to resolve technical issues with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft that transported them on its first crewed mission. The Starliner, which had already faced multiple delays before its June 5 launch, encountered a series of complications, including helium leaks and thruster problems, during its journey to the ISS.
Despite these issues, NASA reports that the spacecraft has been “performing well in orbit” while docked to the ISS. The astronauts are not considered “stranded” as they have the capability to undock and return to Earth at any time if necessary. However, NASA has opted to keep them in orbit beyond their planned return date to allow mission teams adequate time to analyze propulsion system data and address the technical issues.
The extended stay has been strategically planned to ensure that all aspects of the spacecraft’s performance, including the small helium system leaks and thruster functionality, are thoroughly reviewed. Steve Stich, NASA’s Commercial Crew Program manager, emphasized the importance of this data-driven approach: “We are taking our time and following our standard mission management team process. We are letting the data drive our decision making relative to managing the small helium system leaks and thruster performance.”
The Starliner mission is a crucial part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, which aims to certify the spacecraft for future missions and enhance access to low Earth orbit and the ISS. The extended mission, while challenging, provides valuable insights and data that will help improve the spacecraft’s reliability for future crewed flights. Boeing and NASA are committed to resolving the issues to ensure the spacecraft’s safety and readiness for upcoming missions.
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