NASA and Boeing in Houston Address Helium Leaks in Starliner Manifold Valves

Jun 6, 2024, 01:02 AM

NASA and Boeing are currently addressing a series of helium leaks in the propulsion system of the Starliner spacecraft. The leaks were detected in the top and port doghouses of the service module, specifically in the top helium 1 and port 2 manifolds. Flight controllers in Houston have been working to isolate the leaks by closing all helium manifold valves. Helium is crucial for providing pressure to the propulsion system, which is essential for the spacecraft's maneuvering thrusters. The crew members, Butch and Suni, have begun their sleep portion of the mission timeline while Mission Control and the overnight team continue troubleshooting the issue. Additional context reveals that these leaks are beyond the original leak detected prior to liftoff.