The Boeing CST-100 Starliner crew has received encouraging news regarding their return to Earth. The recent completion of ground tests on the spacecraft’s thrusters, which have kept it in space since early June, allows Boeing and NASA to begin planning for the return journey.
Last week, an update confirmed, “Ground testing of a Starliner Reaction Control System (RCS) thruster at the White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico is complete, and teams are now focusing on data reviews.” The objective of the testing was to assess thruster performance and understand why certain thrusters were deactivated during flight, as well as to evaluate the implications of reactivating them for the upcoming Crew Flight Test.
The term “de-selected” refers to thrusters that ceased functioning. Prior to and during the Starliner launch, the helium tanks controlling the thrusters were leaking, which caused several delays. Officials mentioned in a press conference last month that the spacecraft has 70 hours’ worth of helium on board, while only needing seven hours for its flight. Although they indicated earlier this month that the craft was ready to return if necessary, they also noted that further preparations were required.
In their latest update, NASA and Boeing suggested that a return flight could occur at the end of the month. However, the timeline has since become less defined: “Boeing and NASA engineers will proceed with thruster disassembly and inspections, and continue finalizing flight rationale for readiness reviews aimed at Starliner’s planned return to Earth with commander Butch Wilmore and pilot Suni Williams in the upcoming weeks.”