The Boeing CST-100 Starliner crew has received encouraging news regarding the spacecraft’s return to Earth. Earth-based testing of the spacecraft’s thrusters has recently concluded, marking a significant step since the Starliner has been in space since early June. Boeing and NASA were waiting for these tests to determine the next steps for the vessel’s homeward journey.
An update released last week stated, “Ground testing of a Starliner Reaction Control System (RCS) thruster at White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico is complete, and teams are now turning their attention to data reviews.” The testing aimed to analyze thruster degradation to understand why certain thrusters were not functioning properly during the mission and assess the potential impact of bringing those thrusters back online.
The term “de-selected” refers to the malfunctioning thrusters. Issues arose from helium tanks, which control the thrusters, leaking both prior to and during the Starliner launch, causing several delays. Officials mentioned last month that the spacecraft has 70 hours of helium on board, although it only requires seven. They noted earlier this month that while the spacecraft could technically return immediately if necessary, they are not yet fully prepared for its arrival.
At the latest briefing, NASA and Boeing indicated that a return flight could occur at the end of this month. However, the timeframe has since become less specific: “Boeing and NASA engineers will proceed with thruster disassembly and inspections, and move forward with finalizing flight rationale in support of readiness reviews for Starliner’s nominal return to Earth with commander Butch Wilmore and pilot Suni Williams in the coming weeks.”