Boeing Starliner Problems Continue to Delay Astronauts' Return

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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 previously targeted dates of June 18 and June 22.¹
• 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.²
• During the additional spaceflight time, flight controllers will continue examining telemetry and formulating plans for the craft's return. Williams and Wilmore will also be able to provide support aboard the ISS.³
• The astronauts were initially expected to remain on the ISS for around eight days, but NASA on Tuesday announced the most recent of several delays. Eventually, the crew is scheduled to land in White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico.⁴
• Prior to launch, NASA managers were hoping Starliner would earn certification for operational space station crew rotation missions. It remains to be seen how these delays will affect certification.³

Sources: ¹CNN, ²Independent, ³CBS and ⁴FOX Weather.

Narratives

• Narrative A, as provided by Daily Mail. Boeing continues to endure numerous high-profile setbacks. If its 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 to assess multiple shortcomings.
• Narrative B, as provided by Space.com. There's no reason to be overanxious over Starliner's issues or the astronauts' plight. 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 even get to perform a spacewalk that was previously postponed.

Predictions