Starliner Boeing Aircraft Launch Postponed Due To Helium Leaks

Illustration of Starliner planes in space (photo: dock. NASA)

JAKARTA The manned Starliner, made by Boeing, was supposed to take off on May 17 after the launch window on May 6 was delayed. Unfortunately, Starliner's launch had to be postponed again for the second time. Reporting from Spacenews, Boeing announced some time ago that the launch of the Crew Flight Test (CFT) mission had been rescheduled. The first launch to carry these two astronauts will be held on May 21 using an Atlas V. Boeing rocket said that Starliner's launch was again delayed due to a small-scale helium leak in the part of the aircraft's service module. This problem was discovered after technicians traced the flare at one of the Starliner reaction control drivers. The company did not explain when the leak was detected and how long the problem had been. Although it was not explained, this helium leak was not related to the first delay, namely during the launch attempt on May 6. At that time, the first launch was delayed due to a problem in the valve at the top of the Centaur rocket. This Katup was already replaced on May 11 and Boeing as well as NASA, which became the launch partner, already tested its valve to confirm its performance. With the delay in Starliner launch mission, Boeing said that the company would confirm the entire component of their artificial aircraft. The company will also improve the propulsion system before launch is carried out.

"As part of the test, Boeing will upgrade the propulsion system to flight pressure as it did before launch, and then let the helium system emit air naturally," said a Boeing spokesperson. On the other hand, NASA will use Starliner as a substitute for SpaceX's aircraft, not objecting to the ongoing delay. As the US state agency assured the public that they were not in a hurry. "We are not in a hurry to fly from the station's point of view. We intentionally removed our summer schedule to give us many bases for the CFT mission," said NASA ISS Program Manager Dana Weigel.