The crew of the Boeing CST-100 Starliner has received encouraging news regarding its return to Earth. Recent ground tests of the spacecraft’s thrusters, which have kept it in orbit since early June, were successfully completed. Boeing and NASA had been waiting for these tests to plan the vessel’s homecoming.
An update indicated that the testing of a Starliner Reaction Control System (RCS) thruster at White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico is finished, and teams are now focusing on reviewing the data. The goal was to analyze thruster performance degradation to understand the reasons behind some thrusters being de-selected during flight and to evaluate the implications of potentially reactivating them.
The term “de-selected” refers to thrusters that malfunctioned. Before and during the Starliner launch, there were issues with the helium tanks that control the thrusters, contributing to several delays. Officials mentioned that the spacecraft carries 70 hours’ worth of helium, although only seven hours are required for its operations. While earlier statements suggested the craft could return to Earth immediately if necessary, officials clarified they are still finalizing preparations.
In the most recent update, NASA and Boeing mentioned that a return flight could be possible at the end of this month. However, the timeline has become less specific. “Boeing and NASA engineers will proceed with thruster disassembly and inspections and will continue 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 coming weeks.”