The Boeing CST-100 Starliner is one step closer to returning home following the successful completion of ground testing for its thrusters. The spacecraft, which has been in orbit since early June, was held back until these tests could be finalized. Boeing and NASA have now begun to plan the vessel’s journey back to Earth.
Following an update last week, it was noted that the testing of the Starliner Reaction Control System (RCS) thruster at the White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico is complete, and the engineering teams will now focus on reviewing the data. The tests aimed to understand the degradation of the thrusters, particularly those that failed to operate during the flight. Some thrusters were “de-selected” because they ceased functioning, primarily due to helium leaks in their tanks before and during the launch, which had previously caused several delays.
Officials revealed last month that the Starliner has 70 hours of helium supply, though only seven hours are actually needed for operations. While NASA and Boeing indicated that the spacecraft could return at any time, they have stated that they are not yet prepared for an immediate landing.
In their latest communication, officials hinted that the return flight might happen at the end of the month, but the timeline has become less specific. “Boeing and NASA engineers will proceed with thruster disassembly and inspections, and work to finalize flight rationale to support readiness reviews for Starliner’s planned return to Earth with commander Butch Wilmore and pilot Suni Williams in the upcoming weeks,” the update said.