The crew of the Boeing CST-100 Starliner has received positive news regarding their return to Earth. Recent ground tests of the spacecraft’s thrusters were completed, providing a necessary step before planning the vessel’s homecoming. The Starliner has been in space since early June, awaiting these crucial tests.
An update from last week confirmed, “Ground testing of a Starliner Reaction Control System (RCS) thruster at White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico is complete, and teams are now turning their attention to data reviews.” The tests aimed to investigate the degradation of the thrusters, helping teams understand the reasons why some thrusters were rendered inoperable during flight and assessing any effects of potentially bringing those thrusters back into service.
The term “de-selected” refers to certain thrusters that failed to function. Prior to and during the Starliner launch, helium tanks controlling the thrusters were found to be leaking, causing various delays. Officials mentioned that the spacecraft has an abundance of helium on board, totaling 70 hours’ worth, although only seven hours are needed for operations. Despite previously stating the craft could return at any time if necessary, officials caution that they are not entirely prepared for the return just yet.
In the latest update, NASA and Boeing indicated that a return flight could be planned for the end of this month. However, the timeframe has since become less specific: “Boeing and NASA engineers will proceed with thruster disassembly and inspections, moving forward with the finalization of 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.”