NASA, Boeing discover new leaks, failing thrusters on Starliner during ISS docking

After a successful liftoff on Wednesday morning at 10:52 a.m. from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, engineers found more leaks. Failing thrusters also complicated the flight test.

astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore are safe at the space station right now, but docking came with unexpected challenges.They lifted off on Wednesday with one softball-size leak we knew about, but when they reached orbit, two more popped up. "Unfortunately, a couple more have occurred once they reached orbit," said Don Platt who runs the spaceport education center at Florida Tech.The spacecraft is losing helium which is affecting the thrusters.

’s live feed during the docking. FOX 35’s Esther Bower asked Platt if the thrusters failing relates to the helium leaks. "Yes, because without the ability to force the propellant into the thruster, it won’t operate," said Platt. He compares this issue to car problems here on earth."If you use gasoline, and you have an electric pump that pumps the gas into the engine," the space expert added. Without helium, the thrusters can’t get power.

and Boeing investigated the data while the capsule waited about 200 meters, or four Olympic size swimming pools, away from the ISS."They will definitely make sure failure is not an option," said Platt. Boeing was able to recover four of the thrusters that failed orginally. The astronauts kept their cool in orbit and didn’t seem phased at all by new issues.Butch Wilmore was happy to be back in space, saying it was "nice to be attached to the big city in the sky.

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