Starliner Readies for Earth Return as Thruster Tests Show Promise

The Boeing CST-100 Starliner crew has received promising news regarding their return to Earth. Recent ground testing of the spacecraft’s thrusters was completed, an important step that Boeing and NASA were awaiting before planning the vessel’s homecoming.

An update announced last week confirmed the completion of tests on a Starliner Reaction Control System (RCS) thruster at the White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico. Teams are now focused on reviewing the collected data. The objective of the tests was to assess thruster degradation, which would help understand why some thrusters failed during flight and analyze the potential impacts of reactivating them for the Crew Flight Test.

The term “de-selected” refers to thrusters that malfunctioned. Prior to and during the Starliner launch, the helium tanks that control the thrusters were found to be leaking, causing delays. Officials stated in a press conference last month that the spacecraft has 70 hours of helium on board, despite only needing seven. They indicated earlier this month that while the craft could technically return now, they are not yet prepared for that scenario.

In their most recent update, NASA and Boeing suggested that a return flight could occur at the end of the month. However, the timeline has become less defined, with the teams now set to disassemble and inspect the thrusters while finalizing flight plans for Starliner’s return to Earth, with commander Butch Wilmore and pilot Suni Williams aboard, in the next few weeks.

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