In total three helium leaks have been detected in the capsule Boeing Starliner where carries two NASA astronauts and is expected to dock with the International Space Station within the day.

The spacecraft “remains stable,” NASA announced last night.

The one helium leak was detected before the years-anticipated mission finally took off yesterday from Florida.

It was found in one of the craft’s thrusters and it was decided not to repair it because, according to NASA’s analysis, it is “small and not a danger”.

Helium is not a flammable gas, but is used in the ship’s propulsion system.

The two other leaks are new, and were detected after the craft entered orbit, NASA X announced. “Two of the sun valves closed.”

In the morning, NASA clarified that the mission managers met and gave the green light for the docking of the craft to the International Space Station which is scheduled for 16:15 GMT (19:15 Greek time).

A press conference will be held after the spacecraft arrives at the International Space Station.

Boeing must demonstrate with this test flight that the Starliner eit is safe to start flights. The unmanned Starliner reached the International Space Station once in 2022, but it is the first time it has carried astronauts.

The Starliner program has been marred by many setbacks that have caused years of delays.

So, in the space race, Boeing was defeated by Elon Musk’s SpaceXwhich will carry astronauts to the International Space Station from 2020.

However, NASA seeks to have at its disposal and second means of transport, so that he can deal with possible problems in one of the means of transport or an emergency situation.