Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft launch has been delayed due to a small helium leak in the ship’s propulsion system, causing uncertainty about the new launch target. The crew of the Starliner, commander Barry “Butch” Wilmore and co-pilot Sunita Williams, are waiting for further instructions at the Johnson Space Center in Houston before heading to the Kennedy Space Center for final launch preparations. Engineers are reviewing the option of launching as is with the persistent leak in the propulsion system.
The recent delay is another setback for the Starliner, which has faced multiple issues since its initial test flight in 2019. The helium leak was first detected on May 6, and despite being initially deemed small enough to proceed with the launch, the countdown was aborted due to an oxygen pressure relief valve issue in the rocket’s upper stage. The rocket was returned for repairs, and a new launch date was set after the valve replacement. Boeing engineers then investigated the leak, which was traced back to a reaction control system thruster in one of the four doghouse assemblies on the service module.
Engineers worked on tightening bolts around the flange where the leak was found, pressurizing the lines, and conducting tests to determine if the leak was still present. Despite efforts to address the issue, the leak persisted, prompting further analysis and postponing the launch indefinitely. NASA and Boeing experts are still evaluating the flight rationale, system performance, and redundancy to determine the next steps for the Starliner’s crewed test flight. The delay has pushed back launch opportunities to later in May and early June based on the spacecraft’s ability to match the International Space Station’s orbit.
The decision to proceed with the launch will depend on the assessment of the leak and the safety of the spacecraft’s propulsion system. The Starliner has faced ongoing complications and setbacks since its initial test flight, highlighting the challenges of crewed space missions. For now, the crew members remain on standby at the Johnson Space Center, awaiting further instructions from NASA and Boeing on when the launch can proceed. The uncertainty surrounding the helium leak and its impact on the spacecraft’s propulsion system is a reminder of the complexities and risks involved in space exploration.
