NASA, Boeing Postpone Starliner Crew Return To June 18 Due To Multiple Factors

NASA and Boeing BA have rescheduled the return of the Starliner spacecraft and its first astronaut crew to Earth for June 18.

What Happened: The Starliner was initially set to undock on Friday after launching two NASA astronauts Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Sunita Williams from Florida on June 5. This mission is essential for certifying Starliner for regular flights. NASA officials in Houston are considering various factors like component fixes, weather, and ISS scheduling, Reuters reported on Wednesday.

As of Tuesday, mission officials are aiming for a June 18 undocking, with the spacecraft expected to land roughly six hours later at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, Willcox Playa in Arizona, or other pre-determined locations, depending on weather conditions.

Dina Contella, NASA’s deputy program manager for the ISS, mentioned a “sticky” oxidizer valve issue on Starliner. Additionally, a NASA blog on Monday noted a helium leak in Starliner’s propulsion system, adding to four previously identified leaks. During its flight, five of its 28 maneuvering thrusters failed, but NASA and Boeing managed to recover four before docking.

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Why It Matters: The Starliner mission has been closely watched since its launch on June 5. This marked a significant milestone for Boeing, as it was the first time the spacecraft carried astronauts. The spacecraft, carrying NASA astronauts Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Sunita Williams, took off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, at 10:52 a.m. ET.

However, the mission faced challenges. On June 6, reports emerged of a helium leak in the Starliner’s propulsion system, affecting some of its thrusters. Despite these issues, NASA and Boeing assured that the astronauts were safe and that backup thrusters were available to manage the situation.

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This story was generated using Benzinga Neuro and edited by Pooja Rajkumari