Boeing Starliner Problems Again Delay Astronauts' Return
Boeing Starliner spacecraftProblems returnAgain delaysDelay Astronauts' Return
The Facts
The return to Earth of astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore from the International Space Station (ISS) has been postponed until at least June 26 — a delay from the previous targeted dates of June 18 and June 22.
Williams and Wilmore arrived on the ISS on June 6 via the Boeing Starliner. But the Starliner has endured several mechanical problems, including problems with five thrusters and four helium leaks during its trip. A fifth helium leak has since been discovered.
The Spin
Boeing continues to be an embarrassing company. If it's much-publicized problems with its commercial jets weren't enough of an issue, now the company has a scandal playing out in outer space. Issues with the Starliner may require NASA to conduct a rare rescue mission at a time when the US is trying to prove it can keep up in the international space race. Boeing may need to be put in a timeout.
There's no reason to be overanxious over Starliner's issues or the astronauts' who are remaining at the ISS a little longer than plannedplight. This was billed as a test mission all along, so complications were expected and everyone was prepared to learn new things about the spacecraft. Now the glitches get to be worked out, and Williams and Wilmore may just get to perform the spacewalk that was previously postponed.
