Hey, at least the door didn't blow off.

I bet it wasn't a very peaceful rest last night when they told the 2 of them, hey it looks like there are 2 new helium leaks but don't worry we are on it, you go to sleep.

sounds like it is now stuck at the ISS, unable to depart due too many helium leaks

Source?

The articles I see today say they are looking at June 22nd for departure and that they have plenty of helium even with the leaks.

Mike C.

Source?

The articles I see today say they are looking at June 22nd for departure and that they have plenty of helium even with the leaks.

Mike C.

It says "not ready to come back".

You exaggerated that to "stuck" implying it can't come back.

There is a big difference.

Boeing has had its problems with this, for sure, but let us be fair on how we report their issues.

Mike C.

When you see Crew Dragon sitting on 39A you'll know they have a problem.

It says "not ready to come back".

You exaggerated that to "stuck" implying it can't come back.

There is a big difference.

Boeing has had its problems with this, for sure, but let us be fair on how we report their issues.

Mike C.

One of the YT talking heads mentioned that the thruster problem has a significant software/sensor aspect. Reportedly; the sensors report that the thruster is out of limits, then the software shuts down the thruster.

Some time ago one of the NASA people indicated that the delay was mostly for the purpose of learning as much about the issue as possible prior to return of the vehicle because all of the questionable components are located on the service module, which is jettisoned and burns up on re-entry. They seem to be unconcerned from a safety standpoint, but at the same time it's taking them a long time to gather their "data".

Starliner is a train wreck in slow motion. Even if they get it working safely and reliably, it will never be an effective backup to Crew Dragon. Never mind the cost, the turn around time and lack of reliability make it able to fly only a couple of times per year, and at great cost. That's not good enough. NASA needs to start broadening their search for a second orbital vehicle.

I wonder what these sensors are measuring. Propellant leakage perhaps? Temperature? It's just a shame that more information isn't being released for the technically inclined.

Starliner return postponed again with no date specified.

https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/06/n ... sion-data/

I’ve heard that Starliner has a 45 day limit when docked to the ISS, so that would give them a deadline of July 15 to undock and presumably return.

I wonder at what point the crew says, NOPE, I am not getting back into that thing.

See “Marooned,” a 1969 movie.

My hunch is that it would take something very clear and very convincing before they pushed against the direction of NASA. They have been putting on the face of the ambassadors that they are throughout the program. At least one astronaut assigned to Starliner withdrew from his assignment as commander of this mission. He cited “personal reasons”.

I would expect there to be some serious, confidential conversations going on with the crew, Boeing, and NASA. Anything but a successful return with the crew aboard is going to be a further political black eye for the program, which puts them in a very difficult position. NASA does not have a very good track record at making those calls, and Boeing is, well, Boeing.

I would love to see the crew come back on a Dragon, the flight test is a failure already, there is very little to gain by taking the risk on having the crew come back on Starliner, and what is to gain is nothing more than potential face saving.