Boeing is gearing up for its first astronaut launch aboard the Starliner spacecraft, now targeting early June for the historic mission. After weeks of intensive work addressing issues with the space capsule, the aerospace giant and NASA are confident in moving forward.
Company officials announced on Friday that thorough reviews indicate the Starliner capsule can safely transport two test pilots to the International Space Station (ISS), despite a minor propulsion system leak. The helium leak was discovered following an initial launch attempt on May 6, which was postponed due to an unrelated rocket issue that has since been resolved.
Engineers have traced the leak to a defective rubber seal about the size of a shirt button. They assert that even if the leak were to worsen during flight, it could be effectively managed. All other seals on the capsule have passed inspections, leading NASA’s Commercial Crew Program Manager, Steve Stich, to express confidence in the June 1 launch date.
“This is a test flight. We’re still learning,” said Mark Nappi, Boeing’s Starliner Program Manager. He emphasized that identifying the leak has allowed engineers to enhance the system’s reliability for future missions.
The upcoming mission marks the third test flight for Starliner. Previous demonstrations in 2019 and 2022 were uncrewed, with the second flight required to address software and technical issues identified in the initial test.
In addition to the leak, the team uncovered a design vulnerability in the propulsion system during their investigations. Stich noted that protocols have been established to ensure the capsule can safely return from orbit should this unlikely scenario occur.
“We’re not going to fly until we’re sure we’re safe,” stated Jim Free, NASA Associate Administrator, underscoring the agency’s commitment to astronaut safety.
Boeing’s Starliner is set to play a crucial role in NASA’s commercial crew program. With SpaceX already ferrying astronauts to the ISS since 2020, NASA seeks to have both companies provide transportation services to ensure redundancy and reliability.
