Spacecraft in distress arrives at ISS

Boeing's crewed space vehicle Starliner has now docked at the International Space Station ISS. But the journey there was not trouble-free.

» Updated:

» Published:

Spacecraft in distress arrives at ISS
Photo: Nasa via AP/TT

Share this article

Boeing's crewed space capsule Starliner has now docked at the International Space Station ISS. However, the journey was not trouble-free.

It took three attempts before the launch of Boeing's Starliner was successful. Now astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams have finally arrived at ISS – after a journey plagued by problems.

The trouble started even before launch with a small helium leak, something that according to Boeing and NASA would not affect the journey. But just hours after launch, two more leaks occurred, and a fourth was found later after docking.

Helium is used to pressurize the fuel lines in the booster rockets, which are important for being able to maneuver the spacecraft.

In addition, five of the spacecraft's 28 booster rockets failed. Williams and Wilmore managed to restart four of them, which gave enough safety margin to continue. By then, Starliner had missed the first docking opportunity and had to circle around ISS for an extra hour.

The two space travelers then danced onto ISS to music and hugged the seven astronauts who were on the space station.

According to Boeing, there will be enough helium for Starliner to return home safely in about a week.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Seven Arrested in Connection with Melbourne Teen Murders

Seven Arrested in Connection with Melbourne Teen Murders

Macron: Recognizing Palestine Key to Isolating Hamas

Macron: Recognizing Palestine Key to Isolating Hamas

Israel Labels Thunberg's Gaza Flotilla a Jihad Initiative

Israel Labels Thunberg's Gaza Flotilla a Jihad Initiative

Berlin Evacuates Thousands After WWII Bomb Found in Spree River

Berlin Evacuates Thousands After WWII Bomb Found in Spree River

Trump Switches Helicopter Due to Minor Hydraulic Fault

Trump Switches Helicopter Due to Minor Hydraulic Fault

US Vetoes UN Resolution on Gaza Ceasefire

US Vetoes UN Resolution on Gaza Ceasefire

Israeli Soldiers Face PTSD and Suicides After Gaza Conflict

Israeli Soldiers Face PTSD and Suicides After Gaza Conflict

Two Israeli Soldiers Shot Dead at Jordan-West Bank Border

Two Israeli Soldiers Shot Dead at Jordan-West Bank Border

Norwegian Diplomat Geir Pedersen Resigns as UN Envoy to Syria

Norwegian Diplomat Geir Pedersen Resigns as UN Envoy to Syria

UN Security Council to Vote on Iran Nuclear Sanctions

UN Security Council to Vote on Iran Nuclear Sanctions

Israel Strikes Hezbollah Targets in Five Southern Lebanon Cities

Israel Strikes Hezbollah Targets in Five Southern Lebanon Cities

High Mortality in Congo-Kinshasa Ebola Outbreak: WHO Reports 31 Deaths

High Mortality in Congo-Kinshasa Ebola Outbreak: WHO Reports 31 Deaths

Trump Says Putin Betrayed Him Over Ukraine War

Trump Says Putin Betrayed Him Over Ukraine War

Ukrainian Drones Strike Major Russian Refineries, Impacting Operations

Ukrainian Drones Strike Major Russian Refineries, Impacting Operations

Russia Returns 1,000 Bodies of Ukrainian Soldiers

Russia Returns 1,000 Bodies of Ukrainian Soldiers

Three Arrested in UK for Suspected Russian Espionage

Three Arrested in UK for Suspected Russian Espionage

Syria and Israel Nearing Agreement to Halt Military Actions

Syria and Israel Nearing Agreement to Halt Military Actions

EU Climate Goals Stalled as Member States Disagree on Targets

EU Climate Goals Stalled as Member States Disagree on Targets

Over One Million Protest Macron's Budget Cuts Across France

Over One Million Protest Macron's Budget Cuts Across France

Lula Says No Relationship Exists with Trump

Lula Says No Relationship Exists with Trump