The crew aboard the Boeing CST-100 Starliner has received some positive news regarding their return to Earth. Recent tests on the spacecraft’s thrusters, which have kept it in orbit since early June, have now been completed. Boeing and NASA were awaiting these tests to begin their plans for the journey home.
The announcement last week confirmed that ground tests of the Starliner’s Reaction Control System (RCS) thrusters were successfully conducted at the White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico. The tests aimed to investigate any degradation in the thrusters, which would help explain why some of them were non-operational during the flight and assess the potential effects of returning these thrusters into service.
The term “de-selected” refers to thrusters that ceased functioning. During the Starliner’s launch, the helium tanks that regulate the thrusters experienced leaks, resulting in delays. Officials noted that the spacecraft has 70 hours’ worth of helium onboard, despite only requiring seven hours for its operations. While it was stated earlier this month that the Starliner could return to Earth immediately if necessary, officials clarified that they were not yet prepared for that eventuality.
In the latest briefing, NASA and Boeing mentioned that a return flight could be expected at the end of this month, though the timeline has now become less precise. Engineers from Boeing and NASA will continue with the disassembly and inspection of the thrusters while finalizing the necessary preparations for Starliner’s upcoming return to Earth with commander Butch Wilmore and pilot Suni Williams in the weeks ahead.