Astronauts' Return Delayed as Boeing Aims to Fix Starliner Spacecraft
2024-07-01
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1Two American astronauts have been delayed at the International Space Station (ISS) while engineers try to fix problems with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft.
2Starliner is a joint project between Boeing and the American space agency NASA.
3The capsule arrived at the ISS on June 6.
4It had launched a day earlier from Cape Canaveral in Florida.
5The trip was a test flight that marked the first time the Starliner spacecraft successfully carried astronauts to space.
6It transported NASA's Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to the ISS.
7The two were expected to remain in space for about one week.
8But problems affecting Starliner have already led Boeing and NASA officials to postpone the trip back to Earth several times.
9Reuters news agency reported one of its sources with knowledge of flight planning said NASA was targeting a return date of July 6.
10Since its June 5 liftoff, Starliner has experienced at least five helium leaks.
11In addition, some of the capsule's thrusters have failed.
12NASA would like to use Starliner to support its future exploration activities on the moon as part of its Artemis program.
13But Boeing has struggled to complete the testing process before it gets approval for repeated trips to the ISS.
14NASA wants more time to examine problems with Starliner's propulsion system.
15This system is attached to the capsule but is not designed to return to Earth for inspection.
16Instead, it is released during reentry and burns up in the atmosphere.
17Steve Stich is NASA's commercial crew program manager.
18He explained the return delay during a news conference last week.
19Stich said, "We're just taking a little more extra time to review all the data and also learn as much as we can while we have this service module in orbit."
20Starliner's propulsion system is part of what NASA describes as the spacecraft's "service module."
21The space agency also noted that it did not want the return flight to conflict with spacewalks.
22A spacewalk was called off this week after water leaked from an astronaut's spacesuit.
23At least one other spacewalk is planned.
24Five of the capsule's 28 thrusters failed after Starliner arrived at the ISS.
25NASA said all but one thruster restarted, and they were found to be working during a later test firing.
26Officials suspect heat from increased thruster use on arrival at the ISS caused the problem.
27Boeing said the one problematic thruster had been turned off and would not be an issue for the return trip.
28The capsule launched with one small helium leak and four more were discovered by the time it reached the ISS.
29Helium is used to pressurize fuel for the thrusters.
30A rubber seal was suspected of failing, causing the problem.
31Boeing and NASA say they will continue to consider landing dates once the spacewalks are completed.
32Boeing has said the capsule can remain at the space station for 45 days or longer if needed.
33Mission leaders plan to keep examining the thruster problem and helium leaks.
34With their extended stay, Wilmore and Williams have been helping with chores and research at the orbiting space laboratory.
35NASA has said there is no rush for the astronauts to leave and there are enough supplies to support their stay.
36During his comments to reporters last week, NASA's Stich stated the agency's desire to safely return the astronauts as soon as possible.
37"So far, we don't see any scenario where Starliner is not going to be able to bring Butch and Suni home," he said.
38I'm Bryan Lynn.
1Two American astronauts have been delayed at the International Space Station (ISS) while engineers try to fix problems with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft. 2Starliner is a joint project between Boeing and the American space agency NASA. The capsule arrived at the ISS on June 6. It had launched a day earlier from Cape Canaveral in Florida. 3The trip was a test flight that marked the first time the Starliner spacecraft successfully carried astronauts to space. It transported NASA's Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to the ISS. The two were expected to remain in space for about one week. 4But problems affecting Starliner have already led Boeing and NASA officials to postpone the trip back to Earth several times. Reuters news agency reported one of its sources with knowledge of flight planning said NASA was targeting a return date of July 6. 5Since its June 5 liftoff, Starliner has experienced at least five helium leaks. In addition, some of the capsule's thrusters have failed. 6NASA would like to use Starliner to support its future exploration activities on the moon as part of its Artemis program. But Boeing has struggled to complete the testing process before it gets approval for repeated trips to the ISS. 7Why was Starliner's return trip postponed? 8NASA wants more time to examine problems with Starliner's propulsion system. This system is attached to the capsule but is not designed to return to Earth for inspection. Instead, it is released during reentry and burns up in the atmosphere. 9Steve Stich is NASA's commercial crew program manager. He explained the return delay during a news conference last week. Stich said, "We're just taking a little more extra time to review all the data and also learn as much as we can while we have this service module in orbit." Starliner's propulsion system is part of what NASA describes as the spacecraft's "service module." 10The space agency also noted that it did not want the return flight to conflict with spacewalks. A spacewalk was called off this week after water leaked from an astronaut's spacesuit. At least one other spacewalk is planned. 11What problems are still being investigated? 12Five of the capsule's 28 thrusters failed after Starliner arrived at the ISS. NASA said all but one thruster restarted, and they were found to be working during a later test firing. 13Officials suspect heat from increased thruster use on arrival at the ISS caused the problem. Boeing said the one problematic thruster had been turned off and would not be an issue for the return trip. 14The capsule launched with one small helium leak and four more were discovered by the time it reached the ISS. Helium is used to pressurize fuel for the thrusters. A rubber seal was suspected of failing, causing the problem. 15What comes next? 16Boeing and NASA say they will continue to consider landing dates once the spacewalks are completed. 17Boeing has said the capsule can remain at the space station for 45 days or longer if needed. Mission leaders plan to keep examining the thruster problem and helium leaks. 18With their extended stay, Wilmore and Williams have been helping with chores and research at the orbiting space laboratory. NASA has said there is no rush for the astronauts to leave and there are enough supplies to support their stay. 19During his comments to reporters last week, NASA's Stich stated the agency's desire to safely return the astronauts as soon as possible. "So far, we don't see any scenario where Starliner is not going to be able to bring Butch and Suni home," he said. 20I'm Bryan Lynn. 21Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from The Associated Press, Reuters, Agence France-Presse, NASA and Boeing. 22__________________________________________ 23Words in This Story 24capsule - n. the part of a spacecraft that people live in 25thruster - n. an engine that produces propulsion by releasing a jet of fluid or a stream of particles 26propulsion - n. a force that pushes something forward 27module - n. part of an object that can operate alone, especially part of a spacecraft 28seal - n. an object of substance that stops liquid or aid from leaving or entering a container 29chore - n. a job or task that is necessary, but often not enjoyable 30scenario - n. a possible situation that could develop in the future