Space @lemmy.world Wilshire @lemmy.world 3 wk. ago

After delays, crewed Boeing Starliner finally launches from Florida, bound for the ISS

www.usatoday.com After delays, crewed Boeing Starliner finally launches from Florida, bound for the ISS

Two astronauts are finally bound for the International Space Station aboard Boeing's Starliner, which launched Wednesday from Florida.

33 comments

I hope NASA did an inspection. I'd be terrified to fly into space on Boeing
- I mean there was just a helium leak they detected like a month ago, causing a delay and decided wasn't worth taking the whole thing apart to fix, just send it.
  
  Helium leaks all the time, it's a very small molecule that is very hard to contain. ULA and SpaceX have flown with worse.
  
  It's not like a door or anything
- Of course NASA did an inspection. Their name is on the mission.
- I suppose this is only a helium leak which isn't exactly a major issue. It's not good mind, but I doubt it'll cause catastrophic system failure.
  
  That will come from elsewhere.
- ikr that was my first thought: "I hope they survive."
- No shit they can't even get a 747 right
  
  Nah, 747 is largely okay, it’s from the era when Boeing was run by engineers and most of the design flaws have been resolved. The stuff to worry about is what they’ve been designing since merging with McDonnell-Douglas and the finance people took charge. They seem to be cutting corners everywhere to try to boost that Wall Street share price, and they’re paying the piper now.
- Imagine the choice... either SpaceX or Boeing. Don't know which company skips on quality assurance more.
  
  This is unfair to say. I hate Musk as much as the next guy. But SpaceX engineers are superb.
It was fun to watch. I woke up early, had an "oh fuck, are they actually launching today? is that at canaveral or vandenburg? can I hop in the car and make the launch? aw fuck canaveral" moment this morning. Instead the cats and I watched on youtube.
And the copilot's job on the flight is to keep the finger on the helium leak, or what?
Instinctively read this as ... "screwed" Boeing Starliner ...
- You know... The star liner has issues... https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/05/nasa-and-boeing-are-getting-comfortable-launching-starliner-with-a-known-leak/
Honestly... If you look in the news... It's not faring well

https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/05/nasa-and-boeing-are-getting-comfortable-launching-starliner-with-a-known-leak/

https://www.theverge.com/2024/6/1/24169334/boeing-starliner-launch-livestream-how-to-watch

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/boeing-starliner-launch-first-piloted-test-flight-space/

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