Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams has apparently ridden into space three times, but this time people are concerned of her return, because the reason is obvious. People remembering How we lost our gem Kalpana Chawla.
NASA has said that the ambitious project, which initially proposed only a few days, is now likely to be postponed for an indefinite period. Despite these setbacks, the question remains: Can Starliner bring its astronauts back home safely?
Table of Contents
Problems with the Crew Test Flight of Boeing’s Starliner with Sunita Williams
Helium Leakage:
- The test flight encountered a significant helium leakage issue, which eventually posed potential safety risks for the crew.
Thruster Malfunction:
- There were malfunctions with the spacecraft’s thrusters, affecting its maneuverability and control.
Delayed Timeline:
- The mission experienced multiple delays, pushing back the original schedule and increasing uncertainties about the launch.
Technical Glitches:
- Various technical glitches were identified during pre-launch tests, necessitating additional checks and fixes.
Propellant Valve Failure:
- A propellant valve failed to close completely, leading to concerns about fuel management.
The main issues center on Starliner’s expendable propulsion system, which is critical for detaching from the ISS and re-entering Earth’s atmosphere. The thrusters have overheated, and helium leaks have occurred frequently, requiring the crew and mission managers to spend more time than expected on mid-mission fixes.
Despite these challenges, officials have assured that Starliner will be safe for astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore. However, there are still uncertainties.
How Soyuz were replaced: interesting story
Boeing is the private company who has, this ride as it’s first. you must be wondering if The International Space Station (ISS) was launched in 1998, then how were the rides conducted so far?
To know which flights were used for crew transport and why they are not used anymore, there is politics behind this, to understand that- firstly, we need to understand how the ISS was built.
Construction of the ISS and crew transportation
The ISS is a like floating 3 BHK, which moves in an orbit with an average altitude of 400 kilometers and orbits the Earth in about 93 minutes. With this, it completes 15.5 orbits per day, which gives it a speed of 7.66 km / s.
It involved the space agencies of 5 countries:
In the early days, the crew was being built by NASA of the USA and the transport flight Soyuz was being built by Roscosmos of Russia. NASA had a NASA Space Shuttle for its own transportation, but it was retired in 2011. Because of this, NASA began to rely on the Russian Soyuz spacecraft.
The Role of SpaceX and Boeing
Due to political differences, war and sanctions between Russia and the United States, Russia reduced cooperation, and NASA decided to reduce its dependence on Russia. Against this backdrop, the goal was to develop a new American spacecraft through a commercial crew program with companies such as SpaceX and Boeing.
After the success of SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, NASA has reduced its dependence on Soyuz.
· Space Shuttle (USA): Operated by NASA from 1981 to 2011.
· Soyuz (Russia): Operated by Roscosmos since 2000.
· SpaceX Crew Dragon (USA): Operated by SpaceX since 2020.
· Boeing CST-100 Starliner (USA): Developed by Boeing
Duration of Starliner’s Docking at ISS
According to NASA’s Commercial Crew Manager, Steve Stich, “Starliner can stay docked at the ISS for up to 45 days. If necessary, it can remain for up to 72 days using backup systems.” This flexibility provides a buffer for resolving the technical issues before attempting the return journey.
This is the first crewed test flight of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, and if successful, Boeing will become the second private company, alongside Elon Musk’s SpaceX, to be able to provide NASA crew transportation to and from the ISS.
Potential Return Date
Internally, NASA has targeted July 6th as the latest return date. If achieved, the mission will last a month instead of the originally planned eight days. Recent test firings of the thrusters while docked have given the mission teams confidence, but tests and reviews are ongoing. The mission management team, consisting of NASA and Boeing personnel, is working on solutions. Once cleared, Starliner’s thrusters will unlock the capsule from the ISS, beginning a six-hour journey home. The capsule will tighten its orbit before re-entry and land with parachutes and airbags in the southwestern United States.
Emergency Plans
Despite the issues, NASA has stated that Starliner can still return the astronauts to Earth if necessary. If Starliner fails completely, the Crew Dragon already at the ISS could be used as an alternative. Although NASA and Boeing officials do not currently see this as necessary, the Crew Dragon serves as a backup to ensure the astronauts’ safety.
conclusion
This is Starliner’s first mission carrying astronauts and is the final test before NASA can certify it as a second ride to the ISS, joining SpaceX’s Crew Dragon. Despite the challenges, the mission is a crucial step in expanding NASA’s capabilities and reducing dependence on international partners for crew transportation. With ongoing efforts to resolve the technical issues, there is cautious optimism that Starliner will safely bring Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore back to Earth.
This transition in space exploration has given a new direction to international cooperation. NASA’s move to become self-reliant is important, in which the role of private companies like SpaceX and Boeing has been decisive. Every effort is being made to ensure the safety of Sunita Williams in this journey, which is an important step in space exploration.
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Is Sunita Williams from India?
Sunita Williams is of Indian descent but she was born and raised in the United States. Her father, Dr. Deepak Pandya, is an Indian-American from Gujarat, India, while her mother, Bonnie Pandya, is of Slovenian descent. Sunita Williams is an American astronaut and United States Navy officer.
Is Sunita Williams still working for NASA?
She is currently serving as the pilot of the Crew Flight Test mission aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft – the first crewed flight for that vehicle – and her third mission aboard the International Space Station.
Sunita Williams Age?
As of 2024, she is 61 years old
Why is Sunita Williams stuck in ISS?
The Boeing Starliner spacecraft malfunctioned during the journey to ISS.
How much has Boeing lost on Starliner?
The estimated cost of Boeing’s losses on the Starliner program is $1.5 billion
How much did NASA pay Boeing for Starliner?
In 2014, NASA awarded Boeing a $4.2-billion-dollar contract to build Starliner as a vehicle to carry astronauts on routine missions to the International Space Station.
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