Latest news with #CST-100Starliner
Fox News
31-03-2025
- Science
- Fox News
NASA astronaut takes partial responsibility for Boeing mission that left him in space for extended stay
The commanding officer of the troubled Boeing Starliner spacecraft that encountered technical issues while shuttling two astronauts to space last June, took responsibility for the issues, while also pointing the blame at everyone else on the mission. Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams answered questions from reporters in Texas on Monday about various aspects of their extended mission. Wilmore and Williams returned to Earth after being stuck in space since June, due to engineers discovering helium leaks and issues involving thrusters shortly after Boeing's CST-100 Starliner docked with the International Space Station. Wilmore was asked who is responsible for everything that happened on the test flight, which ultimately left them in space for nine months. "There were some issues, of course…that prevented us from returning on Starliner, and I'll start with me," Wilmore said. "There were questions that I, as a commander of the spacecraft, that I should have asked, and I did not at the time. I didn't know I needed to, and maybe you could call that hindsight, but I'll start and point the finger, and I'll blame me." The term "blame" is not one that Wilmore likes to use, though he said the responsibility falls on everyone throughout all the programs, including Boeing and NASA. "We all are responsible. We all own this," Wilmore said. "You cannot do this business without trust. You have to have ultimate trust, and for someone to step forward in all these different organizations and say, 'Hey. I'm culpable for part of that issue.' That goes a long way to maintaining trust. "So, we're not going to look back and say this happened or that happened and that person's, or that issue, or that entity's to blame. We're going to look forward and say, 'What are we going to use our lessons learned from this whole process and make sure we are successful in the future," Wilmore added. When asked if either astronaut would return to space in a Starliner, both Williams and Wilmore responded that they would. Wilmore said he would return in a Starliner because the team is going to rectify all the issues the spacecraft encountered, noting that Boeing and NASA are completely committed to fixing the problems. "With that, I'd get on in a heartbeat," he said. Williams agreed with Wilmore, saying the Starliner spacecraft is really capable. "There were a couple of things that need to be fixed, like Butch mentioned, and folks are actively working on that," she said. "But it's…a great spacecraft, and it has a lot of capabilities that other spacecraft don't have, and to see that thing successful and to be part of that program is an honor." Wilmore and Williams splashed down in the Gulf of America on March 18, after Elon Musk's SpaceX Dragon spacecraft arrived at the ISS just days before.
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
NASA Is Investigating Boeing Starliner's "In-Flight Anomalies"
NASA and Boeing are still working to get the aerospace giant's plagued Starliner spacecraft back off the ground. It's been just over half a year since Boeing's issues-riddled shuttle came back from its journey to the International Space Station. Due to technical problems, NASA decided Starliner wasn't safe enough for NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore to be on board, leaving them stranded in orbit. In a Thursday update, NASA revealed that NASA and Boeing are "making progress toward crew certification of the company's CST-100 Starliner," with teams "working to resolve Starliner's in-flight anomalies and preparing for propulsion system testing in the months ahead." But when — or if — Starliner will make its next launch attempt, with or without a crew on board, remains to be seen. "Once we get through these planned test campaigns, we will have a better idea of when we can go fly the next Boeing flight," said NASA's Commercial Crew Program manager Steve Stich in the update. "We'll continue to work through certification toward the end of this year and then go figure out where Starliner fits best in the schedule for the International Space Station and its crew and cargo missions." "It is likely to be in the timeframe of late this calendar year or early next year for the next Starliner flight," Stich added. As part of its Commercial Crew program, NASA tapped both Boeing and SpaceX to come up with entirely separate spacecraft that can launch astronauts to the space station and back. Over the last five years, SpaceX has run circles around its competition with its Crew Dragon spacecraft, and has completed a dozen successful trips to the ISS. Despite pouring billions of dollars into the development of Starliner, Boeing has far less to show, including a failed launch attempt in 2019 and a litany of issues during its first crewed attempt last year. According to NASA, teams are working hard to test Starliner's offending thrusters and the surrounding "doghouse," the part of the module where the thrusters are located. Investigations revealed that the doghouse overheated during repeated thruster firings, causing Teflon seals to bulge, thereby affecting the flow of propellant. The space agency is now looking at "thermal protection system upgrades," including "barriers within the doghouse to better regulate temperatures and changing the thruster pulse profiles in flight to prevent overheating." But whether these changes will be enough to reassure all stakeholders is an open question. Boeing has already lost over $2 billion on the project since it began, and still doesn't have a single successful mission under its belt. That, however, hasn't dissuaded the aerospace giant. "Boeing, all the way up to their new CEO, Kelly [Ortberg], has been committed to Starliner," Stich said during a briefing last week, as quoted by SpaceNews. "I see a commitment from Boeing to continue the program." More on Starliner: NASA Planning Another Test Flight by Boeing's Starliner
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
NASA, Boeing to start testing Starliner for next flight aimed at early 2026
(Reuters) - NASA said on Thursday it was moving toward certifying Boeing's CST-100 Starliner for crewed flights later this year or by early 2026 after its inaugural mission to the International Space Station was marred by a system fault, forcing an extended stay. The agency is working with Boeing to resolve the Starliner's faulty propulsion system, which caused its debut eight-day crewed mission to stretch into a nine-month stay in space for NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. Williams and Wilmore returned earlier this month in SpaceX's Dragon capsule. Joint teams are working to finalize the scope and timelines for various propulsion system test campaigns and analyses, targeted throughout the spring and summer, as NASA prepares for the Starliner's next flight. Steve Stich, manager of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, said the flight was likely to be in the timeframe of late this calendar year or early next year. Boeing's effort to fix the Starliner's faulty propulsion system has added to the aerospace giant's thorny development of a spacecraft that has cost it more than $2 billion.
Reuters
27-03-2025
- Science
- Reuters
NASA, Boeing to start testing Starliner for next flight aimed at early 2026
March 27 (Reuters) - NASA said on Thursday it was moving toward certifying Boeing's (BA.N), opens new tab CST-100 Starliner for crewed flights later this year or by early 2026 after its inaugural mission to the International Space Station was marred by a system fault, forcing an extended stay. The agency is working with Boeing to resolve the Starliner's faulty propulsion system, which caused its debut eight-day crewed mission to stretch into a nine-month stay in space for NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. Williams and Wilmore returned earlier this month in SpaceX's Dragon capsule. Joint teams are working to finalize the scope and timelines for various propulsion system test campaigns and analyses, targeted throughout the spring and summer, as NASA prepares for the Starliner's next flight. Steve Stich, manager of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, said the flight was likely to be in the timeframe of late this calendar year or early next year. Boeing's effort to fix the Starliner's faulty propulsion system has added to the aerospace giant's thorny development of a spacecraft that has cost it more than $2 billion.
The Guardian
20-03-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Thursday briefing: What do Elon Musk and Donald Trump want with space?
Good morning. Last June, astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore embarked on a 25-hour journey to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard Boeing's CST-100 Starliner, as part of its first crewed test flight. Originally scheduled to spend eight days in space, their mission was dramatically extended due to technical issues with the spacecraft, which was deemed unsafe for their return journey. After an astonishing 270 days in orbit, accusations that Joe Biden had abandoned them and to much fanfare, Williams and Wilmore finally returned to Earth in Elon Musk's SpaceX Dragon capsule, which splashed down off the coast of Florida on Tuesday – where a pod of curious dolphins circled the craft. After routine medical checks to confirm their wellbeing, both astronauts were finally reunited with their families. For today's newsletter, I spoke to the Guardian's science correspondent, Hannah Devlin, about their long-anticipated return – and how it became so politically charged. That's right after the headlines. Ukraine | Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a 'very good telephone call' on Wednesday, according to Trump, in the first conversation between the US president and his Ukrainian counterpart since their disastrous showdown in the White House three weeks ago. Middle East | Israeli forces have launched a 'limited ground operation' to retake the Netzarim corridor, a newly widened road protected by fortified bunkers that divides Gaza and is seen as essential to controlling the devastated Palestinian territory. Politics | Rachel Reeves will announce the biggest spending cuts since austerity at next week's spring statement after ruling out tax rises as a way to close her budget deficit. The chancellor will tell MPs next Wednesday that she intends to cut Whitehall budgets by billions of pounds more than previously expected in a move which could mean reductions of as much as 7% for certain departments over the next four years. UK news | A 'truly evil' 19-year-old who murdered his mother and two younger siblings as part of a failed plot to become the worst mass murderer in British history has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 49 years. Nicholas Prosper admitted to murdering Juliana Falcon, 48, Kyle Falcon, 16, and Giselle Falcon, 13, last month. Internet | UK police forces are receiving more than 110 reports of child sextortion attempts every month, according to the National Crime Agency, as a new awareness campaign is launched about the online scourge. The NCA said the use of artificial intelligence in sextortion attacks had also increased 'substantially' over the past three years as criminals adapted their methods. So what went wrong? How did a short-term test mission end up with two astronauts in space for almost a year? The Boeing Starliner that was supposed to return them experienced helium leaks, a propellant valve that failed to close completely, and a malfunctioning thruster, which is crucial for steering and controlling re-entry. Although the craft successfully docked with the International Space Station and the two astronauts disembarked safely, Nasa lacked full confidence in the Starliner's safety. As a result, despite Boeing's readiness to bring the astronauts back, the agency decided the spacecraft should return empty. 'It was a major setback for Boeing's ambitions in space,' says Hannah. 'The company had been working to develop a parallel programme to SpaceX, offering a commercial service for astronauts travelling to the International Space Station.' The mission was intended to be the final test flight before Nasa certified Starliner for routine missions, but because of these events its path to certification remains uncertain. 'I think it's a setback for Nasa as well,' Hannah adds, 'because it's in their best interest to maintain a competitive environment, with more than one US company providing that service.' Not stranded in space Despite the headlines – and the claims from Donald Trump – Williams and Wilmore have been clear that they were not 'stranded' or forgotten in space. 'This was a test flight. The purpose of the flight was partly to test out this capsule and how it performed, and with any test, you don't know exactly what you're going to get,' Hannah says. Nevertheless, Trump and Musk have not hesitated to politicise the situation, claiming that former president Joe Biden had abandoned the astronauts and that SpaceX, Musk's company, had heroically rescued them. When a Danish astronaut criticised these claims as baseless, Musk retaliated by calling him 'fully retarded'. Throughout their mission, there was always a spacecraft attached that could return everyone home in an emergency. Wilmore stated unequivocally: 'We don't feel abandoned, we don't feel stuck, we don't feel stranded.' As many experts have pointed out, astronauts generally want to remain in space for as long as possible– provided they have a way home. 'We came up prepared to stay long, even though we planned to stay short. That's what we do in human spaceflight. That's what your nation's human spaceflight programme is all about,' Wilmore has said. Once Nasa decided that they would not be returning on the Boeing capsule, the agency chose to incorporate them into the ISS's long-term crew. Given the enormous cost of sending astronauts up and bringing them back, it made sense for Williams and Wilmore to remain onboard, continuing their duties, which included station maintenance and 900 hours of research. Private space travel In terms of reliability, private and public space operators tend to encounter similar challenges, the outcome is not necessarily affected by who is running the mission. However, as Hannah points out: 'I think this whole episode has highlighted the extraordinary influence Elon Musk now has in shaping what near-term space exploration looks like.' Since entering the White House as Trump's closest adviser, Musk has significantly reshaped the agency, shutting down two offices and firing 20 staff. Officials have warned that these cuts will harm Nasa in the long run and make space exploration more expensive. Many have also noted the potential conflict of interest here for Musk, who remains SpaceX's CEO, as SpaceX is Nasa's largest private contractor, with the agency having spent more than $15bn on its services. Musk has also called for the ISS to be decommissioned as soon as possible. While Nasa had already planned to retire it in five years, the agency had intended to keep astronauts onboard until then – a plan that has now been thrown into doubt. 'The ISS is a rare example of post-Cold War partnership between US, Russia and other nations,' says Hannah. 'It's quite unique in that respect. So I think people do feel that something beyond science will be lost if that's scrapped and not replaced by some sort of equivalent cooperative project.' It should be noted, that on board the shuttle that returned Williams and Wilmore to Earth was a Russian cosmonaut, from Roscosmos, Aleksandr Gorbunov. Now there are warm noises about a Putin/Musk collaboration to reach Mars. Even in the current climate on Earth, cooperation between nations in space continued. Separately, some of the world's most powerful nations are pursuing their own goals as part of the 21st-century space race. China, is planning to establish long-term research stations on the moon and may even stake territorial claims there. The country has conducted a series of successful space missions, highlighting its rapid advancements in the field. Last year, Nasa admitted that the US and China were effectively in a race to reach the moon. India, meanwhile, has historically maintained a relatively modest space programme budget but has now announced plans to increase funding by 20 to 30% – a sharp contrast to Nasa's recent budget cuts. A change in direction? Musk's outsized influence raises questions about the future priorities of human space exploration. Nasa has been focused on returning to the moon with its Artemis programme, but Musk has cast doubt on whether this should proceed. Instead, he insists the focus should be on sending humans to Mars – his longstanding obsession which he says is needed to ensure the survival of the human race. 'Anyone who knows about spaceflight will tell you it's just such a difficult thing to achieve. It's a completely different level of technical complexity – it's hard to state how ambitious it is to get there with humans on the timescale that Musk is proposing,' Hannah says. While space exploration has always been entangled with international geopolitics, this latest phase of overt politicisation and self-interest 'is something that astronauts themselves are not that comfortable with getting sucked into and being used as a political football', Hannah says. Even as someone who sat glumly in the red end of Wembley at last weekend's Carabao Cup final, this photo essay of Newcastle United fans savouring their victory over Liverpool and first trophy win in 70 years is a beautiful depiction of the joy football can bring. Sam Coare, newsletters team For the Long Wave, Nesrine Malik dives into the troubling world of black hair-care, where the heavily marketed products can have a plethora of adverse health impacts including cancer on consumers. Nimo Writing for the A moment that changed me series, Lucy Nichol's ode to the ability of music to provide empowerment and identity is a touchingly familiar tale. Sam 'People in this country who are already suffering will be going to bed with more worry tonight': the brilliant Frances Ryan on the impact of the government's latest disability benefits cuts. Nimo In his letter from prison, climate activist George Simonson – sentenced to a 24-month custodial sentence for climbing a gantry over the M25 in 2022 – writes emphatically about the price he paid for taking a stance on the climate crisis, and the perspective on life it's afforded him. Sam Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion Football | Sonia Bompastor said 'nothing is impossible', after two goals from Vivianne Miedema condemned Chelsea to a first defeat this season and gave Manchester City a two-goal lead going into the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final. Athletics | Eilish McColgan says she is 'numb' to comments on social media about her body shape and warned of the dangers of associating her with eating disorders. The British long-distance runner highlighted the abuse she received this month after posting a video of her on a treadmill in preparation for her first London Marathon. Some comments suggested she had anorexia. Rugby | The Rugby Football Union chief executive, Bill Sweeney, has threatened to take England away from Twickenham and move to Milton Keynes or Birmingham due to licensing restrictions after missing out on lucrative Beyoncé concerts at the stadium. Sweeney warned Richmond council that 'it would be a tough call for us' to move away from London should the RFU not be granted permission to stage more non-rugby events at Twickenham. 'Biggest cuts since austerity era as Reeves tries to plug budget deficit,' is the splash on the Guardian today, while the i has: 'No new tax hikes next week - but future benefit cuts now likely.' 'Criminals free to pick their own gender,' writes the Telegraph,' as the Daily Mail writes 'Biological sex erased from official data.' The Express highlights Nicholas Prosper with, ''Evil' family killer forced to hear his fate,' and the Metro: 'Stopped on massacre mission.' 'Trump eyes takeover of Ukraine's atomic sites,' writes the Times, as the FT opts for a look at tariffs with: 'Fed slashes growth forecast as Trump tariffs cast shadow over US economy.' Finally the Mirror, has 'I'd do it all again' on a story about the Tories using a VIP plane during the covid-19 pandemic. Mahmoud Khalil and Trump's assault on free speech Detained after taking a leading role in pro-Palestine protests at Columbia University, the graduate has called himself a political prisoner. Chris McGreal reports. A bit of good news to remind you that the world's not all bad After a career fixing roofs and laying bricks, Kelly Sempels is plying a new trade, writes Oliver Balch: 'urban mining', stripping houses marked for demolition of their vital components to be used again. Part of an ambitious project in the Belgian city of Leuven to cut waste and create a 'circular economy', one of the project's sites is a series of two-up-two-down homes the city council has earmarked for demolition to add green space and ease traffic congestion. Some salvaged objects can be reused like-for-like. When the items are too deteriorated, or where safety regulations don't allow it, then 'downcycling' is the next best option: steel girders being repurposed as scaffolding or roof tiles as a material for internal walls. Rehabilitating people is as important as reusing materials. Across Belgium, initiatives exist to promote a 'social economy' that puts people over profits. 'Mostly, we work with people who are longtime unemployed, lower-schooled, and have a lot of issues outside work,' says Patrick Wauters, employment coordinator at Wonen en Werken, the social enterprise delivering the scheme. 'Sure, many have their problems, but they also have their capabilities.' Sign up here for a weekly roundup of The Upside, sent to you every Sunday And finally, the Guardian's puzzles are here to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow. Quick crossword Cryptic crossword Wordiply
