The Boeing CST-100 Starliner crew has received encouraging news regarding its anticipated return to Earth. Recently, the ground testing of the spacecraft’s thrusters was completed after it has been in orbit since early June. Both Boeing and NASA were awaiting the conclusion of these tests before proceeding with plans for the Starliner’s homecoming.
According to an update, “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 primary goal of this testing was to examine thruster degradation, enabling teams to understand why some thrusters were deactivated during the flight and assessing the potential effects of reactivating them on the overall Crew Flight Test.
The term “de-selected” refers to thrusters that ceased functioning. Prior to and during the launch of the Starliner, the helium tanks that control the thrusters experienced leaks, resulting in several delays. Officials indicated that the spacecraft has 70 hours of helium on board, even though it only requires seven hours. While it was previously stated that the craft could return immediately if necessary, officials clarified that they are not ready for the return just yet.
In the latest update from NASA and Boeing, a return flight was anticipated for the end of this month. However, the timeline is now 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.”