Boeing Starliner now has five leaks while parked outside the ISS

After dubious connection At the International Space Station, Boeing was able to fly a pair of NASA astronauts to the orbiting laboratory last week. The tense Starliner saga continues as the crew capsule experiences new service module leaks. NASA is currently assessing its ability to return the duo to Earth.

In an update published Monday by NASA disclosed that Starliner teams are assessing the impact of five helium leaks on the rest of the mission. “While Starliner is docked, all manifolds are closed for normal mission operation, preventing loss of helium from the tanks,” the space agency wrote.

If you were following, there were three leaks on the Starliner Last time we checked, Starliner teams discovered two new leaks on the spacecraft after its June 5 launch, in addition to helium leak discovered before takeoff. The team took some time to assess the problem before launching the capsule, but Boeing and NASA ultimately decided to continue the flight. crew of the leaking Starliner spacecraft without solving the problem.

The spacecraft consists of a reusable crew capsule and a disposable service module. Helium is used in spacecraft propulsion systems so that the fuel can burn without being flammable or toxic. “We will be able to deal with this particular leak if this leak rate increases at least 100 times,” Steve Stich, manager of NASA’s commercial crew program, said during a press conference before Starliner’s launch.

Well, it’s coming. Despite leaks indicating a larger problem with Starliner’s propulsion system, NASA remains confident in its commercial partner and has downplayed the spacecraft’s anomalies. “Engineers assessed helium reserves based on current leak rates and determined that Starliner has sufficient reserves to support the return trip from the station,” NASA wrote in its update. “The final normal flight of the mission requires just seven hours of free flight, and Starliner currently has enough helium remaining in its tanks to provide 70 hours of free flight after undocking.”

The key here is “normal mission completion” as Starliner is having difficulty docking with the ISS. Starliner missed its first docking opportunity at 12:15 pm ET due to technical problems, prompting NASA to target another docking window an hour later. Five of the spacecraft’s engines failed during its approach, and four were later repaired. The capsule is finally docked from the ISS at 13:34 Eastern Time on June 6.

While outside the ISS, engineers are also checking the RCS oxidizer shut-off valve in the service module, which is not properly closed, according to a recent NASA update. The RCS, or reaction control system, uses the engines to control attitude and direction, while the oxidizer shut-off valve regulates the flow of oxidizer, which is needed to burn the fuel in the engines. “Mission managers continue to work on a reentry plan that includes an assessment of flight feasibility, resiliency, and possible operational measures for the remainder of the flight,” the space agency wrote.

Starliner is scheduled to undock from the orbiting space station no earlier than June 18. Crewed flight tests It is part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program and is designed to transport crew and cargo to and from the International Space Station (ISS) under the control of the spacecraft. $4.3 billion contract with the space agency. NASA’s other commercial partner, SpaceX, has already launched eight crews to the space station.

The spacecraft’s first crewed flight was intended to begin regular flights to the ISS, but NASA may require Starliner to make some tweaks before it approves the capsule for normal operation.

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