Starliner valve investigation continues to focus on moisture interaction with propellant (Oct 2021)

Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner was within hours of launch on its second uncrewed test flight in early August when stuck valves in the spacecraft’s propulsion system forced a launch scrub that has turned into a delay that will extend well into next year.
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Boeing is continuing to investigate what caused 13 valves to stick in the closed position. The leading cause is that nitrogen tetroxide (NTO) propellant, leaking through the valve, reacted with moisture and created nitric oxide, corroding the valve.

Reminder: leaks have been delaying Boeing Starliner for years
byu/invariantspeed inspace

1 Comment

  1. SmirkingSkull on

    Reminder, Boeing has been going through multiple hearings on cutting manufacturing and safety standards.

    Have had multiple whistle blowers happen to come up dead.

    No one should be surprised at all that something they built is having issues.

    Why were astronauts even launched using one of their vehicles? Why is anything they built not under more stringent scrutiny currently?