VOA科学技术2024--Astronauts' Return Delayed as Boeing Aims to Fix Starliner Spacecraft

Two American astronauts have been delayed at the International Space Station (ISS) while engineers try to fix problems with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft.

Starliner is a joint¹ project between Boeing and the American space agency NASA. The capsule arrived at the ISS on June 6. It had launched a day earlier from Cape² Canaveral in Florida.

The trip was a test flight that marked the first time the Starliner spacecraft successfully carried astronauts to space. It transported NASA's Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to the ISS. The two were expected to remain in space for about one week.

But problems affecting Starliner have already led Boeing and NASA officials to postpone³ the trip back to Earth several times. Reuters news agency reported one of its sources with knowledge of flight planning said NASA was targeting a return date of July 6.

Since its June 5 liftoff, Starliner has experienced at least five helium leaks. In addition, some of the capsule's thrusters have failed.

NASA would like to use Starliner to support its future exploration activities on the moon as part of its Artemis program. But Boeing has struggled to complete the testing process before it gets approval for repeated trips to the ISS.

Why was Starliner's return trip postponed⁴?

NASA wants more time to examine problems with Starliner's propulsion system. This system is attached to the capsule but is not designed to return to Earth for inspection⁵. Instead, it is released during reentry and burns up in the atmosphere.

Steve Stich is NASA's commercial crew program manager. He explained the return delay during a news conference last week. Stich said, "We're just taking a little more extra time to review all the data and also learn as much as we can while we have this service module⁶ in orbit." Starliner's propulsion system is part of what NASA describes as the spacecraft's "service module."

The space agency also noted⁷ that it did not want the return flight to conflict with spacewalks. A spacewalk was called off this week after water leaked from an astronaut's spacesuit. At least one other spacewalk is planned.

What problems are still being investigated?

Five of the capsule's 28 thrusters failed after Starliner arrived at the ISS. NASA said all but one thruster restarted, and they were found to be working during a later test firing.

Officials suspect heat from increased thruster use on arrival at the ISS caused the problem. Boeing said the one problematic thruster had been turned off and would not be an issue for the return trip.

The capsule launched with one small helium leak and four more were discovered by the time it reached the ISS. Helium is used to pressurize fuel for the thrusters. A rubber seal was suspected of failing, causing the problem.

What comes next?

Boeing and NASA say they will continue to consider landing dates once the spacewalks are completed.

Boeing has said the capsule can remain at the space station for 45 days or longer if needed. Mission leaders plan to keep examining the thruster problem and helium leaks.

With their extended stay, Wilmore and Williams have been helping⁸ with chores and research at the orbiting space laboratory. NASA has said there is no rush for the astronauts to leave and there are enough supplies to support their stay.

During his comments to reporters last week, NASA's Stich stated the agency's desire to safely return the astronauts as soon as possible. "So far, we don't see any scenario⁹ where Starliner is not going to be able to bring Butch and Suni home," he said.

Words in This Story

capsule - n. the part of a spacecraft that people live in

thruster - n. an engine that produces propulsion by releasing a jet of fluid or a stream of particles

propulsion - n. a force that pushes something forward

module - n. part of an object that can operate alone, especially part of a spacecraft

seal - n. an object of substance that stops liquid or aid from leaving or entering a container

chore - n. a job or task that is necessary, but often not enjoyable

scenario - n. a possible situation that could develop in the future

1 joint   

adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合

参考例句：

• I had a bad fall,which put my shoulder out of joint.我重重地摔了一跤，肩膀脫臼了。
• We wrote a letter in joint names.我们联名写了封信。

2 cape   

n.海角，岬；披肩，短披风

参考例句：

• I long for a trip to the Cape of Good Hope.我渴望到好望角去旅行。
• She was wearing a cape over her dress.她在外套上披着一件披肩。

3 postpone   

v.延期，推迟

参考例句：

• I shall postpone making a decision till I learn full particulars.在未获悉详情之前我得从缓作出决定。
• She decided to postpone the converastion for that evening.她决定当天晚上把谈话搁一搁。

4 postponed   

vt.& vi.延期，缓办，（使）延迟vt.把…放在次要地位；[语]把…放在后面（或句尾）vi.（疟疾等）延缓发作（或复发）

参考例句：

• The trial was postponed indefinitely. 审讯无限期延迟。
• The game has already been postponed three times. 这场比赛已经三度延期了。

5 inspection   

n.检查，审查，检阅

参考例句：

• On random inspection the meat was found to be bad.经抽查，发现肉变质了。
• The soldiers lined up for their daily inspection by their officers.士兵们列队接受军官的日常检阅。

6 module   

n.组件，模块，模件；(航天器的)舱

参考例句：

• The centre module displays traffic guidance information.中央模块显示交通引导信息。
• Two large tanks in the service module held liquid oxygen.服务舱的两个大气瓶中装有液态氧。

7 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

8 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

9 scenario   

n.剧本，脚本；概要

参考例句：

• But the birth scenario is not completely accurate.然而分娩脚本并非完全准确的。
• This is a totally different scenario.这是完全不同的剧本。