Despite the stable leak present in the propulsion system of Boeing’s Starliner capsule, the company is pushing forward with plans to launch U.S. astronauts for the first time. Boeing’s Vice President, Mark Nappi, expressed confidence in the identified causes of the leak and reassured that it does not pose a safety risk. The company has set a target date of June 1 for the first crewed launch, with backup opportunities on June 2, June 5, and June 6. The upcoming mission, known as the Starliner Crew Flight Test, aims to deliver NASA astronauts to and from the International Space Station.
Boeing’s Starliner crew debut has faced significant delays, with SpaceX’s Dragon capsule already conducting regular astronaut flights for NASA since 2020. The delays have resulted in Boeing incurring $1.5 billion in costs due to setbacks, in addition to utilizing nearly $5 billion of NASA development funds. The Starliner’s launch was recently called off on May 6 due to an issue with the Atlas V rocket, further contributing to the postponement of the mission.
During a press conference, it was revealed that a problematic valve in the Atlas V rocket had been replaced following the launch postponement. However, a subsequent helium leak in the Starliner capsule prompted Boeing and NASA to conduct new safety assessments. NASA Associate Administrator Ken Bowersox emphasized the complexity of identifying and resolving the helium leak issue and highlighted the collaborative effort between the organizations.
NASA’s Commercial Crew Program manager, Steve Stich, outlined the plan to monitor the leak leading up to the launch and reassess the situation after arriving at the International Space Station. Stich expressed confidence in the integrity of the other seals within the spacecraft’s propulsion system, referencing previous instances of flying vehicles with small helium leaks. The upcoming review scheduled for May 29 will provide further insights into the leak, with plans to proceed with rolling out the rocket and capsule for the June 1 launch attempt on May 30.
Boeing and NASA are working diligently to address the challenges posed by the helium leak in the Starliner capsule and ensure the safety of the upcoming crewed mission. Despite setbacks and delays, the organizations remain committed to advancing human spaceflight capabilities and delivering astronauts to the International Space Station. The collaborative efforts between Boeing, NASA, and ULA reflect a shared dedication to overcoming obstacles and achieving successful space exploration missions.