NASA And Boeing Extend The Stay Of Starliners On The Space Station

JAKARTA The return of the astronauts for the Starliner mission has been postponed again due to problems with the aircraft components that have not been completed. NASA and Boeing decided to extend their stay until June 25.

Initially, Starliner was planned to return from the Space Station (ISS) on June 18. However, due to unresolved problems, Starliner's return schedule was changed to June 22. Unfortunately, the schedule for descending from the station was pushed back to June 25.

According to Spacenews reports, NASA and Boeing officials said Starliner's stay on the ISS should be extended in order for them to observe two problems from the plane. The problem in question is damage to the driving and leakage of helium.

Steve Totaling, NASA's Commercial Crew Program Manager, explained that technicians were studying the cause of the dead booster and ensuring the driving performance in detail. So far, technicians have estimated several causes of the damage to the booster.

We have several theories about what happens inside the booster when the thruster gets very hot, "saidOC. One of the possibilities that cute mentions is the high temperature that blocks fuel mixing and oxidizers.

Meanwhile, helium leaks are thought to be related to the problem of the booster. To examine five helium leaks in the Starliner, technicians tested the boosters and examined leaks detected in the propulsion system.

Temporary suspicion, helium leakage occurs due to heat from the thruster or surface that slides and breaks the seal. The theory is thought to cause three leaks, while the other two leaks are caused by other things that are still being investigated.