Boeing's Starliner Successfully Docks with ISS on Thursday Despite Helium Leaks and Thruster Issues

Jun 6, 2024, 05:13 PM

NASA and Boeing's Starliner spacecraft successfully launched two veteran astronauts, Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams, to the International Space Station (ISS) on its first crewed flight. Despite encountering multiple helium leaks in the propulsion system and thruster issues, the spacecraft managed to dock with the ISS. The mission marks a significant milestone for Boeing, making it the second U.S. company after SpaceX to provide commercial manned spaceflight services to NASA. The Starliner crew faced challenges including helium leaks in the propulsion system and a failed reaction control system thruster, but mission control assured that these issues did not pose a safety risk. The spacecraft docked at 1:34 PM EDT on Thursday, after an initial delay. This mission is a crucial test for Starliner’s capabilities and its competition with SpaceX in the commercial spaceflight sector.