Commercial Crew Transportation Capability (CCtCap) SpaceX and Boeing Developments

[ecarfan]

Boeing Starliner's crew debut delayed again over spacecraft issue​

"Starliner teams are working to resolve a small helium leak detected in the spacecraft’s service module," Boeing said, adding that engineers traced the leak to a component on one of the propulsion system's 28 control thrusters that are used for maneuvering in Earth's orbit. Boeing engineers investigated the helium detections while ULA was replacing the faulty valve on Atlas 5 and determined more testing and scrutiny was needed in order to meet the mission's strict launch safety criteria, the person said.

Launch now NET May 21.

 

[Nikxice]

A couple of months ago when Elon did his Boca Chica Starship presentation I got interested in comparing the differences between Dragon 2 versus Starliner. I was struck by the total number of rocket thrusters used by each spacecraft. The Crew Dragon has a total of 26. It has 8 SuperDraco engines for aborts and 18 Draco for attitude control, orbital maneuvering, and deorbiting.

Starliner is equipped with 4 for potential launch aborts, 20 to support orbital maneuvers, 28 for on-orbit maneuvering and ISS reboost, and finally 12 for atmospheric re-entry. A total of 64. Amazing number, necessary or just added complexity?

To quote Elon during his September TX presentation, "The thing I’m most impressed with when I have design meetings at SpaceX is, ‘What did you undesign?’ Undesigning is the best thing. Just delete it, that’s the best thing."

Post from December 2019.....In a field of 64, it only takes 1 to screw the pooch. Boeing complexity coming home to roost.

 

[ecarfan]

Ars: Boeing is troubleshooting a small helium leak on the Starliner spacecraft

They are not going to physically repair the helium leak. Hmm.

According to NASA, engineers plan to address the helium leak using "spacecraft testing and operational solutions." In other words, managers don't anticipate any need to physically repair the leak. "As a part of the testing, Boeing will bring the propulsion system up to flight pressurization just as it does prior to launch, and then allow the helium system to vent naturally to validate existing data and strengthen flight rationale," NASA officials wrote in a blog post Tuesday. Flight rationale is NASA-speak for gaining confidence in understanding a problem and getting comfortable it would not pose an added risk during the flight.

So it remains to be seen whether or not that approach will work.

 

[HVM]

"Starliner teams are working to resolve a small helium leak detected in the spacecraft’s service module" Said Boeing official in shrilling high pitched voice, "leak is small and do not cause more concern"

 

[ecarfan]

Space.com Boeing's 1st Starliner astronaut launch delayed again, to May 25

 

[Cosmacelf]

Two weeks

Still the best guess. We are definitely at the permanent 2 weeks in the future point. I'm really really glad I'm not those astronauts!

 

[ecarfan]

I'm really really glad I'm not those astronauts!

They’ve had their thumbs out hoping to hitch a ride for years now…

 

[Pricee2]

This is ULA's secret plan to rack up more miles than starman. Just keep rolling the vehicle out to the launch pad and back.

 

[scaesare]

It's hard not to find it funny after the long time getting here... but it has to suck having little items like buzzy valves and small inert gas leaks pop up at the last minute...