Boeing’s Starliner Now Has 5 Leaks While Parked Outside the ISS

Boeing’s Starliner Now Has 5 Leaks While Parked Outside the ISS

Keywords: Boeing, Starliner, International Space Station, leaks, Orbital Flight Test-2

Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, which is currently docked to the International Space Station (ISS), has developed five new leaks in its propulsion system. The leaks were discovered during a routine inspection by astronauts on board the station.

The leaks are small and do not pose an immediate threat to the safety of the crew or the station. However, they will need to be repaired before the Starliner can return to Earth.

This is the second time that leaks have been discovered in the Starliner’s propulsion system. In 2019, a series of leaks forced the cancellation of an earlier test flight.

Boeing is currently working on a plan to repair the leaks. The company has said that it is confident that the repairs can be made without having to return the Starliner to Earth.

The Starliner is on its second Orbital Flight Test (OFT-2), which began on May 20, 2023. The spacecraft is scheduled to remain docked to the ISS for about a month. During that time, astronauts will conduct a series of tests to verify the spacecraft’s systems and performance.

The OFT-2 mission is a critical step in Boeing’s effort to certify the Starliner for commercial crew operations. If the mission is successful, Boeing will be able to begin flying astronauts to and from the ISS on a regular basis.

However, the discovery of these new leaks is a setback for Boeing. The company will need to quickly develop a plan to repair the leaks and determine what caused them in the first place.