Boeing and NASA have decided to proceed with the launch of the Starliner spacecraft despite a small helium leak in the spacecraft’s service module. The Starliner Crewed Flight Test is now scheduled for liftoff on June 1 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The spacecraft will carry NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams to the International Space Station (ISS).
The decision to proceed with the launch was made after nearly three weeks of exhaustive tests and data analysis. The helium leak, which was described as small and stable, was deemed not to pose a flight safety concern. Even if the leak worsened, it would not add any unacceptable risk for the Starliner test flight to the ISS.
However, engineers also found a design vulnerability in Starliner’s propulsion system. An unlikely mix of technical failures could prevent the spacecraft from conducting a deorbit burn at the end of the mission. Despite these challenges, NASA and Boeing are confident in the safety of the upcoming mission.
This is the first time astronauts will fly into orbit on a Starliner spacecraft, following two unpiloted demonstration missions in 2019 and 2022. The Starliner program has faced several delays due to problems with the spacecraft’s software, parachutes, and propulsion system.
Read more: gizmodo.com