Boeing manned spacecraft arrives at ISS ‘injured but in stable condition’

After numerous delays in completion of construction and postponements in its launch that raised serious concerns about the continuation of the project, the Boeing Starliner spacecraft intended to transport astronauts on behalf of NASA and other manned or unmanned missions was launched. Place a few 24 hours in advance.

The vehicle carried two American astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS), and shortly before launch, a helium leak was discovered, which the mission crew did not consider dangerous, and the launch process continued. But in addition to what is already known, two more helium leaks were discovered during the flight. NASA announced that the vehicle “remains stable.”

This first leak, which was found in one of the rover’s engines, was decided not to be repaired because, according to NASA’s analysis, it was “small and does not pose a risk.” Helium is not a flammable gas, but it is used in the vehicle’s propulsion system.

The other two leaks are new and were discovered after the spacecraft entered orbit, and NASA announced “the closing of two solar valves.”

Addiction

Boeing must prove with this test flight that the Starliner is safe to begin flights. The unmanned Starliner vehicle has reached the International Space Station once in 2022, but this is the first time it has carried astronauts.

SpaceX, Elon Musk’s space company, has been transporting astronauts to the International Space Station since 2020 aboard its Crew Dragon spacecraft. But NASA wants to have a second transport at its disposal so that it can deal with possible problems in one of the transports or an emergency and in general not depend only on one company from the moment it decides not to produce itself anymore spacecraft to meet the needs of manned missions.

Naftemporiki.gr with information from APE-MPE