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13 valves failed to open on Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft
13 valves failed to open on Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, a more widespread problem than previously reported. The company said it has been able to fix a number of them and still holds out hope for a test flight this month (www.washingtonpost.com) Más...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
Hmm sounds like a MCAS situation.. its getting hard too trust any Boeing product..
Paywalled site.
Surely you guys don't expect bezos to miss a meal do you?
Alternate article that describes the Starliner valve problem --
https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-scrubbed-starliner-spacecrafts-launch-after-13-valves-failed-to-open/
Unforch, the story doesn't identify the fluid handled by the valves. Do they handle a cryogenic fluid and possibly affected by ice buildup like the Challenger in 1986 ? Do they handle propellant for attitude control ?
https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-scrubbed-starliner-spacecrafts-launch-after-13-valves-failed-to-open/
Unforch, the story doesn't identify the fluid handled by the valves. Do they handle a cryogenic fluid and possibly affected by ice buildup like the Challenger in 1986 ? Do they handle propellant for attitude control ?
Thanks for the link - that worked OK. BTW the article mentions (twice) that the valves are in the propulsion system, though I've no idea what the actual propellant is?
Challenger was lost due to ambient temperature compromising the flexibility of the O-ring which couldn’t then do its intended job, not having been evaluated as a failure mode. Any valves handling cryogenic propulsion liquids should be tested and certified to operate at cryogenic temperatures reliably, as for the launch abort it uses RS-88s from Aerojet Rocketdyne which run Ethanol and Liquid Oxygen; pretty chilly. I find it very odd that this didn’t surface until so late in the programme although I recall they did have issues with stuck valves previously And the parachute system, sorry I mean a “deployment anomaly.” (We mustn’t say a parachute didn’t open). I don’t wish to be harsh on Boeing but someone needs to wake up.
My apologies - I posted incorrect info. The Starliner uses hyperbolic fuels in these RS-88s which are faster to get going when the situation demands urgent action. Teach me for being a smartass. Sorry folks.
Do you mean hypergolic?
I do indeed mean hypergolic - no Idea where that “b” came from. I’ll see myself out. Thank you for pointing out that error, sir. I appreciate it. (Genuinely).