Helium Leaks, Thruster Problems Delay Astronaut Sunita Williams' Return. 5 Things to Know

New Delhi: Boeing's new capsule which went to with Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore on board developed technical glitches which prompted NASA to delay ir return to Earth. Veteran NASA test pilots Williams and Wilmore who launched aboard Boeing's Starliner capsule for orbiting laboratory on June 5 were scheduled to return in a week or so but ir extension of ir has entered its third week. 

What Delayed Sunita's Return?

• Soon after a glitch was reported in capsule, ir return was postponed by NASA saying it wanted more time to analyze problems in craft's propulsion system, which is used to maneuver in flight. propulsion system is attached to capsule, but it doesn’t come back to Earth for inspection. It is ditched during reentry and burns up.
• Five of capsule’s 28 thrusters went down during docking, as capsule closed in on International Station. All but one thruster was restarted, and y worked during test firing later, NASA said. 
• It is suspected that heat from all thruster action at docking caused shutdown. one faulty thruster has been turned off. 
• Global media outlet AP quoted Steve Stich, NASA’s commercial crew program manr, as saying that more thruster testing on ground would be done before setting a return date. 
• capsule had launched on June 5 with one small helium leak, but four more leaks sprung up by time it entered station. 

Helium is used to pressurize fuel for thrusters, and a faulty rubber seal was suspected in initial leak. Officials say re's an ample supply of helium, and Boeing says leaks are stable and t a concern. 

“We understand se issues for safe return,” Boeing program manr Mark Nappi to AP adding, “We don't understand se issues well eugh to fix m permanently."