Boeing is gearing up for its inaugural astronaut launch in early June, overcoming recent challenges with its Starliner capsule. After intensive reviews, company and NASA officials confirmed that the capsule is safe to carry two test pilots to the International Space Station, despite a minor helium leak.
The leak, caused by a defective rubber seal the size of a shirt button, was identified after the initial launch attempt on May 6 was aborted due to an unrelated rocket issue, which has since been resolved. Engineers believe that even if the leak were to worsen, it could be managed during the flight.
NASA's commercial crew program manager, Steve Stich, assured that all other seals on the capsule were intact, allowing managers to set a target launch date of June 1. This mission marks the third test flight for Starliner, following two uncrewed missions in 2019 and 2022 that encountered software and other issues.
Boeing program manager Mark Nappi emphasized the learning aspect of the test flight, stating, \"Remember, this is a test flight. We're still learning.\" Despite uncovering a design vulnerability in the propulsion system, the team has developed methods to safely end the mission if multiple problems arise.
NASA Associate Administrator Jim Free reiterated the commitment to safety, saying, \"We're not going to fly until we're sure we're safe.\" The Starliner capsule has faced delays in transporting astronauts to the ISS, with SpaceX already conducting missions since 2020. NASA aims to utilize both companies for crewed missions to ensure reliable access to the space station.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
