Helium leaks reported on board Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft after launch

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — NASA is monitoring reported helium leaks on board Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft after launching from Florida’s Space Coast.

▶ WATCH CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS

As of Thursday morning, the two veteran NASA astronauts inside Starliner, Butch Willmore and Suni Williams, are fine and still preparing to dock with the International Space Station around 12:15 p.m.

Starliner launch at 10:52 a.m. Wednesday from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station for its first crewed test flight for the new spacecraft.

Watch: Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft successfully sends NASA astronauts into orbit

Despite a picture-perfect launch, teams discovered helium leaks on board Starliner late Wednesday night.

Officials said they do not believe the astronauts are in danger because helium is not flammable or toxic.

ExpandAutoplay

Image 1 of 49

APTOPIX Boeing Astronaut Launch Boeing's Starliner capsule, atop an Atlas V rocket, lifts off from launch pad at Space Launch Complex 41 Wednesday, June 5, 2024, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are headed to the International Space Station. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) (Chris O'Meara/AP)

Wilmore and Williams worked overnight to troubleshoot the leaks for flight controllers in Houston.

The helium is used in Starliner’s propulsion system and helps thrusters maneuver the capsule.

Read: Boeing’s Starliner flight test: Meet the astronauts

The new leaks are in addition to an original leak detected before liftoff.

The spacecraft is also carrying about 800 pounds of cargo to the ISS, including a critical pump for the space station’s water recovery system to replace one that failed.

Watch: Artemis II: NASA report expresses concerns for mission safety

Channel 9 will continue to monitor the Starliner mission and provide updates on Eyewitness News.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

©2024 Cox Media Group