NASA ignored helium leak before Starliner launch, leaving astronauts now stuck in space - WION

The Starliner rocket that carried two astronauts to the International Space Station is now stuck in space and its return to Earth has been postponed until at least July 2. A report has emerged saying that the US space agency NASA knew before the launch of a helium leak but it was deemed too minor to pose a safety risk. The situation worsened as the spacecraft developed four additional helium leaks after it reached the orbit, rendering one thruster unusable. It means that the return trip of astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams will not materialise unless all safety checks have been done.

Watch: Gravitas: NASA scientists fix Voyager 1 from 30 billion kilometres away

CBS reported that NASA will further analyse and review the leaks and the thruster. The US space agency will conduct re-entry tests before determining the next return date. The report said the delay in return is unlikely to extend beyond July 2.

Are Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams safe?

Amid all speculations and rumours, NASA has stressed that both astronauts in the spacecraft are safe and not stranded. They are cleared to undock and return home at any time if any malfunction or problem arises.

But the situation might not be that easy for Boeing officials on Earth. The Starliner fiasco comes as salt into the company's wounds, as it is already facing criticism for high-profile malfunctions of its planes over the past year.

At least 20 whistleblowers have highlighted issues with the company's safety and quality standards and expressed concerns.

NASA 'taking its time'

Steve Stich, manager of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, said, "We are taking our time and following our standard mission management team process."

He said they make decisions based on data. They will do a review at the agency level like they did before when NASA's SpaceX Demo-2 mission returned from space after two months.

(With inputs from agencies)

Vikrant Singh

Geopolitical writer at WION, follows Indian foreign policy and world politics, a truth seeker. 

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2024-06-24 04:16:18Z
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