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NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams have found themselves in an extended stay on the International Space Station (ISS). This is due to ongoing issues with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft which launched in early June.

Originally scheduled to return home, the astronauts’ mission has been delayed indefinitely due to concerns over thruster problems and several helium leaks in the Starliner’s engine system.

As a result, NASA has indicated that Wilmore and Williams may remain on the ISS until the next scheduled crew switchover in August, potentially returning on a different spacecraft.

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Boeing’s Starliner Issues

Boeing and NASA have attempted to present the extension of the astronauts’ stay as an opportunity to test systems required for longer Starliner missions. However, the project has already faced numerous delays, having originally been slated for its first crewed launch in 2017.

These persistent issues raise significant questions about the overall viability of the Starliner program.

Prior to its launch, Starliner was identified as having a minor helium leak. Helium, an inert gas similar to neon or xenon, is highly unreactive, making it suitable for use with rocket fuel and in high-temperature environments.

Despite the expense of producing helium, it is critical for pushing fuel into the engines at the correct rate. A helium leak can prevent sufficient fuel from reaching the thrusters.

The first attempt to dock at the ISS was aborted after engineers detected issues with the reaction control thrusters, which are vital for precise docking maneuvers. Nevertheless, a subsequent “hotfire” test reactivated at least four thrusters, enabling Starliner to achieve its first autonomous docking with the ISS.

Despite this milestone, concerns persist about the thrusters potentially failing during the return journey to Earth. The re-entry phase requires a precise "angle of attack" to manage friction and heat buildup on the vessel, making reliable thrusters crucial.

Trouble Shooting

Boeing and NASA engineers have dedicated the past month to ground tests on a Starliner Reaction Control System (RCS) thruster, investigating the problems encountered during the flight in early June.