After an unclear docking on the International Space Station last week, Boeing was able to deliver two NASA astronauts to the orbiting laboratory. The stressful Starliner saga continues as the crew capsule developed more leaks in its service module. NASA is currently evaluating its ability to return the duo back to Earth.
In an update shared Monday, NASA revealed that the Starliner teams are assessing the impact that five helium leaks would have on the remainder of the mission. “While the Starliner is docked, all manifolds are closed for normal mission operations, preventing the loss of helium from the tanks,” the space agency wrote.
If you’ve been following them, there was three leaks of the Starliner spacecraft last time we checked. Starliner crews have identified two new leaks on the spacecraft since its June 5 launch, in addition to a helium leak that was detected before takeoff. The team took some time to assess the problem before launching the capsule, but in the end, Boeing and NASA decided to continue flying the missing Starliner crew without fixing the problem.
The spacecraft consists of a reusable crew capsule and an expendable service module. Helium is used in spacecraft propulsion systems to allow the thrusters to fire without being flammable or toxic. “We can handle this particular leak if that leak rate goes up to even 100 times,” said Steve Stich, NASA’s commercial team program manager, during a press conference before the Starliner launch.
Well, it’s getting there. Despite leaks suggesting a larger problem with Starliner’s propulsion system, NASA remains confident in its commercial partner and downplayed the spacecraft’s anomalies. “Engineers evaluated the helium supply based on current leakage rates and determined that Starliner has enough reserve to support the return trip from the station,” NASA wrote in its update. “Only seven hours of free-flight time are required to complete a normal end-of-mission mission, and the Starliner currently has enough helium remaining in its tanks to sustain 70 hours of free-flight after undocking.”
“Normal end of mission” is key here, given how the Starliner has a hard time docking with the ISS. Starliner missed its first docking opportunity at 12:15 p.m. ET due to technical issues, prompting NASA to target another docking window an hour later. Five of the spacecraft’s thrusters failed during its approach, and four were subsequently repaired. The the capsule is finally attached with the ISS at 1:34 PM ET on June 6.
While parked outside the ISS, engineers are also evaluating an RCS oxidizer isolation valve in the service module that was not properly closed, according to a recent NASA update. The RCS, or Reaction Control System, uses thrusters for position control and steering, while the oxidizer isolation valve regulates oxidizer flow, which is essential for burning fuel in the thrusters. Mission managers continue to work on the return plan, which includes assessments of flight justification, fault tolerance, and potential operational mitigation 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 Flight test with crew 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 4.3 billion dollars contract with the space agency. NASA’s other commercial partner, SpaceX, has so far launched eight crews to the space station.
The first crewed flight of the spacecraft was supposed to usher in regular trips to the ISS, but NASA may require the Starliner to undergo some repairs before approving the capsule for normal operations.
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