Close Menu
Stratnews GlobalStratnews Global
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Trending
    • Researchers Identify Four Autism Subtypes, Opening Doors for Personalised Care
    • Bitcoin Soars to Record on Institutional Demand, Ether Also Rises Sharply
    • Kyiv Allocates $6.2 Million to Launch Drone Interceptor Programme Against Russian Attacks
    • Chang’e-6 Samples Reveal Moon’s Far Side Secrets and Volcanic Past
    • Airbus to Build Two PAZ-2 Radar Satellites for Spain’s Defence Ministry
    • India and Mexico Explore Industry 5.0 Synergies Following Digital Empowerment Summit 2025
    • Britain Invests €163 Million in Eutelsat to Challenge Starlink in Europe
    • A New Foreign Policy Playbook?
    Stratnews GlobalStratnews Global
    Write for Us
    Sunday, July 13
    • Space
    • Science
    • AI and Robotics
    • Industry News
    Stratnews GlobalStratnews Global
    Home » Boeing and NASA Resolve Issues to Prepare Starliner for Crewed Mission

    Boeing and NASA Resolve Issues to Prepare Starliner for Crewed Mission

    Kanika SharmaBy Kanika SharmaMay 29, 2024 Space Missions No Comments3 Mins Read
    Boeing and NASA

    Boeing and NASA have addressed two technical issues with the Starliner spacecraft, including a “design vulnerability” that required a temporary workaround, to ensure the capsule is ready for its first mission carrying astronauts, officials announced on Friday.

    Addressing Technical Setbacks

    Starliner’s debut crewed mission, a critical test now scheduled for June 1, was delayed earlier this month due to a minor helium leak in its propulsion system detected just hours before its planned launch from Florida. After two weeks of thorough investigation, officials confirmed the leak poses no significant risk to the astronauts.

    “This is really not a safety of flight issue for ourselves, and we believe that we have a well-understood condition that we can manage,” stated Mark Nappi, Boeing’s Starliner program manager, during a news conference.

    Mission Objectives and Significance

    The upcoming mission with NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore on board is a final test flight before NASA can certify Starliner for regular astronaut missions to the International Space Station (ISS). Success would make Starliner the second U.S. crew capsule, alongside SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, which began human spaceflights in 2020.

    Design Vulnerability and Temporary Fix

    During the investigation of the helium leak, engineers discovered an additional issue in Starliner’s propulsion system, described as a “design vulnerability” by NASA’s commercial crew chief, Steve Stich. The concern is that a rare series of failures could disable the capsule’s backup thrusters, preventing a safe return to Earth. A software fix has been implemented as a temporary measure for the mission, while discussions on a possible redesign for future flights continue.

    “It’s backed by test data, it’s backed by flight data, and the guidance and navigation modeling have reinforced that this technique will work,” Nappi explained, adding that the astronauts have tested the system post-fix.

    Preparations and Timeline

    This broader issue and its interim resolution led NASA to schedule an additional Flight Readiness Review, a comprehensive meeting involving agency officials, Boeing engineers, and independent analysts to confirm Starliner’s safety. This meeting is set for Wednesday, three days before the scheduled launch on June 1 at 12:25 PM ET. Alternative launch opportunities are available on June 2, 5, and 6.

    Delays beyond June 6 could necessitate replacing perishable items on Starliner and its Atlas 5 rocket, potentially causing weeks or months of further delays. This would also conflict with other scheduled launches from United Launch Alliance (ULA), including Amazon’s Kuiper satellites and the second flight of ULA’s new Vulcan rocket.

    Historical Context and Future Prospects

    Boeing, a long-standing NASA contractor that has built modules for the ISS, has never before flown humans into space. The Starliner program has faced numerous challenges, including a failed mission to reach the ISS in 2019 and $1.5 billion in unexpected development costs. A successful mission in June is crucial for Boeing as it continues to address issues in its aviation business.

    The spacecraft completed a successful uncrewed test flight to the ISS in 2022, demonstrating significant improvements over the initial attempt.

    Author

    • Kanika Sharma
      Kanika Sharma

      View all posts
    Featured
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email Reddit Telegram WhatsApp
    Kanika Sharma
    Kanika Sharma

      Keep Reading

      Researchers Identify Four Autism Subtypes, Opening Doors for Personalised Care

      Bitcoin Soars to Record on Institutional Demand, Ether Also Rises Sharply

      Kyiv Allocates $6.2 Million to Launch Drone Interceptor Programme Against Russian Attacks

      Chang’e-6 Samples Reveal Moon’s Far Side Secrets and Volcanic Past

      Airbus to Build Two PAZ-2 Radar Satellites for Spain’s Defence Ministry

      India and Mexico Explore Industry 5.0 Synergies Following Digital Empowerment Summit 2025

      Add A Comment
      Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

      Latest Posts

      Researchers Identify Four Autism Subtypes, Opening Doors for Personalised Care

      July 11, 2025

      Bitcoin Soars to Record on Institutional Demand, Ether Also Rises Sharply

      July 11, 2025

      Kyiv Allocates $6.2 Million to Launch Drone Interceptor Programme Against Russian Attacks

      July 11, 2025

      Chang’e-6 Samples Reveal Moon’s Far Side Secrets and Volcanic Past

      July 11, 2025

      Airbus to Build Two PAZ-2 Radar Satellites for Spain’s Defence Ministry

      July 11, 2025

      India and Mexico Explore Industry 5.0 Synergies Following Digital Empowerment Summit 2025

      July 11, 2025

      Britain Invests €163 Million in Eutelsat to Challenge Starlink in Europe

      July 11, 2025

      A New Foreign Policy Playbook?

      July 10, 2025

      Linda Yaccarino Resigns as X CEO Amid Rising AI and Platform Challenges

      July 9, 2025

      Nvidia Becomes First to Reach $4 Trillion, Leading the AI Charge

      July 9, 2025

      Subscribe to News

      Get the latest sports news from NewsSite about world, sports and politics.

      • Astronomical Events
      • Space Missions
      • Industry News
      • Science
      StratNewsGlobal Tech
      Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram LinkedIn YouTube
      © 2025 StratNews Global, A unit of BharatShakti Communications LLP
      • About Us
      • Contributors
      • Copyright
      • Contact
      • Write for Us

      Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.