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NASA Astronauts Stuck in Space After Troubled Capsule Returns to Earth Empty

Published

1 month ago

2024-09-09

Friday night marked the end of Boeing’s first human mission, with an empty capsule landing and two NASA test pilots remaining in orbit until next year because NASA deemed their return to be too dangerous.

Starliner descended automatically through the darkness of the desert six hours after leaving the International Space Station and parachuted into the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.

It was a quiet conclusion to a story that had started with Boeing’s long-awaited crew debut launch in June and then spiraled out of control due to thruster problems and helium leaks. Engineers were unable to comprehend the capsule’s issues for months, which cast doubt on Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams’ return.

NASA disagreed and scheduled a mission with SpaceX, despite Boeing’s insistence following thorough testing that it was safe to transport the two home on Starliner. They will be up there until February, more than eight months after taking off on what should have been a brief journey, since their SpaceX flight won’t launch until the end of this month.

By mid-June, a week after launching in it, Wilmore and Williams ought to have flown Starliner back to Earth. However, a series of engine issues and helium leaks hampered their journey to the space station, and NASA finally determined it was too dangerous to send them back on Starliner.

Thus, equipped with new software, the fully automated capsule departed, taking with it some outdated station gear as well as its empty seats and blue spacesuits.

As the white and blue-trimmed capsule undocked from the space station 260 miles (420 km) over China and vanished into the dark void, Williams radioed, “She’s on her way home.”

Williams remained up long to watch the outcome of everything. “Very impressive, a solid landing,” stated Boeing’s Mission Control.

Cheers were raised when the capsule was seen landing as a white streak by cameras on the space station and two NASA aircraft.

Though there were a few problems during reentry, including as further rocket problems, Starliner accomplished a “bull’s-eye landing,” according to Steve Stich, NASA’s commercial crew program manager.

“I think we made the right decision not to have Butch and Suni on board,” Stich stated at an early Saturday press conference, notwithstanding the safe return. We’re all pleased with the successful landing. However, a part of each of us wishes that everything had gone according to our original plans.

Boeing refrained from attending the news briefing in Houston. However, Ted Colbert and Kay Sears, two of the company’s top space and defence officials, informed staff members in a note that they supported NASA’s decision.

The executives stated, “We support NASA’s decision for Starliner and are proud of how our team and spacecraft performed, even though this may not have been how we originally envisioned the test flight concluding.”

NASA Calls SpaceX

After several delays and mishaps, Starliner’s crew demo came to an end. NASA contracted with Boeing and SpaceX to provide orbital taxi service after the space shuttles were retired more than ten years ago. In 2019, Boeing faced so many issues with its maiden solo test flight that it had to do it again. A $1 billion repair charge accompanied the even more problems discovered during the 2022 doover.

This month’s crew ferry flight by SpaceX will mark the company’s tenth flight for NASA since 2020. Wilmore and Williams have two seats allocated for the return part of the half-year trip, thus only two astronauts will embark aboard the Dragon capsule.

Wilmore and Williams, two former Navy captains and seasoned astronauts, expected challenges during the test mission. They have remained occupied in space, contributing to experiments and repairs. Along with the other seven people on board, the two are now full-time members of the station crew.

Starliner’s propulsion system began leaking helium even before the two took off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on June 5. Upon liftoff, four more leaks appeared, despite the first one being tiny and deemed isolated. Five thrusters then failed. Despite finding four of the thrusters, NASA was concerned that more faults may prevent the capsule from descending from orbit.

After conducting a number of thruster tests during the summer, both in space and on Earth, Boeing was certain that its spacecraft could return the crew safely. However, NASA chose SpaceX since it could not settle with the thruster problem.

Assessment on Starliner

After undocking, flight controllers fired the capsule’s thrusters one more time for testing; one of them did not ignite. Engineers believe that as the thrusters fire more frequently, their temperature rises and protective seals expand, blocking the propellant’s flow. None of the pieces will be available for inspection because the thruster portion was removed right before reentry.

In a few weeks, Starliner will be returned to NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre, where the assessments will take place.

NASA representatives emphasised that the space agency is still dedicated to having two rival American enterprises transport humans. Until the space station is abandoned in 2030, just before its destructive reentry, SpaceX and Boeing plan to alternately send people, one every year. NASA reports that although Boeing doesn’t have much time to catch up, the corporation plans to move forward with Starliner.

Following the landing, Stich stated that it is premature to determine the date of the next Starliner astronaut flight.

“Determining the next course of action will require some time,” he told AP.

NASA Sets Coverage for Starliner News Conference and Return to Earth

NASA Sets Coverage for Starliner News Conference and Return to Earth

News

Emmanuel Macron Says France ‘Will Fight Hard’ To Keep Hit Netflix Show Emily In Paris In Paris

Published

3 hours ago

2024-10-12

Kiara Grace

Emmanuel Macron Says France ‘Will Fight Hard’, When Netflix’s blockbuster comedy “Emily in Paris” revealed at the end of season four that its lead heroine was leaving for Rome, many viewers were taken by surprise. French President Emmanuel Macron has now weighed in on the debate, stating that the country “will fight hard” to prevent the show from moving to the Italian capital.

“We will ask them to remain in Paris, ‘Emily in Paris'” in Rome does not make sense,” he told Variety in an interview published Wednesday.

The plot revolves around Emily Cooper, a 20-something American marketing executive played by Lily Collins, who relocates from Chicago to Paris for work and likes life in the French metropolis. It often ranks among Netflix’s most-watched episodes, and when the streaming service extended it for a fifth season, creator Darren Star stated that Emily will now “have a presence in Rome.”

Emmanuel Macron Says France ‘Will Fight Hard’ To Keep Hit Netflix Show Emily In Paris In Paris

Following the French president’s remarks, Rome’s mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, made a tongue-in-cheek response on X, saying, “Dear Emmanuel Macron, don’t worry: Emily is doing wonderful in Rome. And one can’t control the heart; let her decide.”

In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter Roma, Gualtieri said, “Doesn’t President Macron have more pressing matters to worry about?”

Gualtieri speculated: “I would like to believe, at least I would like to hope, that Macron was joking, because he ought to know that a production company like Netflix does not take orders from heads of state or make decisions based on political pressure.”

Macron has had a lengthy association with the show. His wife, Brigitte, appeared briefly in season four when Emily met her in a café and asked for a selfie. In the show’s fictitious reality, Brigitte publishes one of Emily’s social media postings from season one, in which she expressed surprise that the French word for vagina, le vagin, was male.

“I was super proud, and she was very happy to do it,” Macron said of his wife’s appearance. “It was only a few minutes, but I believe it was a very positive time for her. I think it’s beneficial for France’s image. Emily in Paris is extremely positive in terms of the country’s attractiveness. It’s an excellent initiative for my own business.”

Emmanuel Macron Says France ‘Will Fight Hard’ To Keep Hit Netflix Show Emily In Paris In Paris

While some French fans have criticized the show for relying on Parisian clichés and disregarding topics such as homelessness in the city, a survey undertaken by France’s National Cinema Center revealed that it has increased travel to the country’s capital in January.

According to the study, around one-tenth of travelers opted to visit France after watching a certain movie or series, and in 38% of those cases, “Emily in Paris” served as the motivation for a French trip.

However, despite his wife’s involvement with the performance and its impact on tourism, Macron has no plans to make his own cameo appearance.

“I’m less attractive than Brigitte,” he told Variety.

SOURCE | AP

News

Watchdog Claims That US Control Over Boeing Aircraft Output Is Insufficient.

Published

24 hours ago

2024-10-11

Salman Ahmad

(VOR News) – On Friday, a government watchdog expressed its Boeing disapproval of the control that the government Aviation Administration (FAA) exercises over the production of airplanes by Boeing.

The watchdog stated that the FAA did not have an effective mechanism to monitor the individual manufacturing facilities of the United States company that manufactures airplanes.

The FAA monitors “discrepancies and noncompliances within the Boeing production line.”

This statement was made by the office of the inspector general of the transportation department. In addition, the report said that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not addressed the long-standing flaws in Boeing’s control of suppliers, despite the fact that these hazards have been recognized for a considerable amount of time.

Despite the fact that Boeing is unable to resolve a strike by its employees, struggles to regain the faith of the industry in some of its aircraft and systems as a result of a string of accidents and incidents, and was forced to bring back its spacecraft from the International Space Station while leaving its astronaut crew behind due to safety concerns, the company is continuing to face a significant number of challenges in the business world.

Following the explosion of a door plug that was lacking crucial fasteners on a new Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9 airplane at 16,000 feet in January, the oversight of Boeing by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been subjected to greater scrutiny. This is because the door plug was missing essential fasteners.

In response to this incident, the Department of Justice has begun an investigation into possible criminal activity.

There were sixteen recommendations for enhancements included in the report. All of them were accepted by the Federal Aviation Administration, which remarked that it “is committed to continuously improving our oversight processes.” All of them were accepted.

According to a statement made by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the agency “is currently conducting a comprehensive, systemwide review of our oversight models.”

According to the findings of the investigation, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had not been successful in resolving charges of excessive pressure that were placed on Boeing staff who were acting on behalf of the FAA in a given amount of time.

The reason for this was that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had not enforced the requirements that Boeing furnish information that was adequate in relation to the claims.

In the absence of an instant response, Boeing did not offer a comment.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) “has yet to move from a reactive approach focused on addressing individual manufacturing issues to a more proactive, data-driven model to identify and address risk within Boeing’s manufacturing processes at all levels,” according to the report that evaluated the monitoring of Boeing 737 and 787.

This statement was made in reference to the FAA’s response to the monitoring of Boeing 737 and 787.

There have been a number of studies that have been released over the course of the past several years that have brought attention to complaints regarding the FAA’s regulation of Boeing.

The surveillance of the FAA was criticized by a United States Senate committee that was investigating the culture of Boeing at the end of the previous month. The committee cited papers that were obtained during an ongoing investigation as the basis for their criticism.

A month ago, it was reported that Mike Whitaker, the administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), will be modifying the personal safety management program that the agency uses. He has previously said that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had “too hands off” oversight over the actions of Boeing.

He did something that had never been done before: he forbade Boeing from raising the manufacturing of the 737 Max until the corporation had produced significant enhancements to the product’s quality. This was an action that had never been taken before.

SOURCE: TGN

News

Trudeau Commits $25-Million for Charities in Lebanon, One Allegedly Linked to Terrorism

Published

2 days ago

2024-10-11

Geoff Thomas

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen address the media - VOR Image

Canada is increasing its humanitarian aid package for Lebanon by an additional $15 million, raising the total to $25 million in response to the escalating conflict between Israel and the Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah.

International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen announced that the newly allocated funds will support both Canadian and international aid organizations in delivering essential services such as food, water, emergency health care, and other forms of assistance in Lebanon, although specific distribution details remain to be finalized.

“The impact of this conflict on civilians in Lebanon and beyond is devastating,” Mr. Hussen stated during a press briefing. “Today, Canada has announced a commitment of $25 million to bolster humanitarian efforts aimed at aiding the most vulnerable civilians in Lebanon.”

The recent announcement of $15 million in new funding adds to the $10 million in aid previously disclosed by Mr. Hussen at the end of September.

Minister of International Development Ahmed Hussen announces additional $15 Million in Aid for Lebanon - Video Screenshot

Minister of International Development Ahmed Hussen announces additional $15 Million in Aid for Lebanon – CBC Image

He stated that $6 million of the previously announced funds will be allocated to both the Red Cross and the Humanitarian Coalition, which comprises 11 charities, to match up to $3 million each in donations received for their respective Lebanon aid initiatives.

His commitment to the Humanitarian Coalition persists even in light of allegations against one of its member charities, Islamic Relief, which is accused of funding Hamas and maintaining connections to the Muslim Brotherhood. In 2014, the United Arab Emirates classified Islamic Relief as a terrorist organisation.

Mr. Hussen reported that over 2,000 individuals have lost their lives in Lebanon, including two Canadians, with thousands more suffering injuries. The ongoing conflict has exerted considerable strain on the humanitarian organizations operating in the region.

He emphasized the urgent need for food, medicine, shelter materials, and emergency health care in Lebanon.

Melanie Joly, Canada’s foreign affairs minister, speaks during a news conference in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, – VOR Image

On Wednesday, Global Affairs Canada announced that it has successfully assisted nearly 1,050 Canadians, permanent residents, and their immediate family members in departing from Lebanon. It reports that it has also assisted approximately 250 individuals from various countries in departing Lebanon.

The agency reports a decline in new requests for information on departure options, now receiving fewer than 100 each day. All eligible travellers have been provided with departure opportunities, have already departed, or are scheduled to leave in the upcoming days.

According to Global Affairs Canada, a total of 205 individuals departed from Lebanon on Monday and Tuesday.

As of October 8, over 25,000 Canadians were officially registered in Lebanon; however, officials indicated that the actual figure could be greater, as registration is not mandatory. Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly has indicated that there are approximately 45,000 Canadians currently in the country.

On Wednesday, Mr. Hussen once again urged Canadians to evacuate Lebanon. A representative for Immigration Minister Marc Miller stated that the current priority is assisting Canadian citizens and permanent residents, along with their spouses and children, in obtaining the necessary travel documents.

“Additionally, we are focusing on the processing of specific categories of family class permanent resident applications,” stated spokeswoman Renee Proctor in an e-mailed statement.