The Boeing CST-100 Starliner is showing promising signs of progress as it prepares for its return to Earth. Recent ground testing of the spacecraft’s thrusters has concluded, marking a significant step forward after the Starliner has remained in orbit since early June. Boeing and NASA had awaited the completion of these tests to begin strategizing for the spacecraft’s re-entry.
According to an update released last week, “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 purpose of the tests was to analyze thruster performance and assess the reasons behind the failure of some thrusters during flight, as well as to evaluate the potential implications of reactivating those thrusters.
During the launch, issues were discovered with the helium tanks that control the thrusters, causing leaks that resulted in multiple delays. Officials have confirmed that the Starliner has an excess of helium onboard, sufficient for 70 hours of operation despite only requiring seven. Although they stated earlier this month that the spacecraft could return if necessary, they also indicated that they are not yet fully prepared for its homecoming.
NASA and Boeing mentioned that a return flight might occur at the end of this month, but the timeline has since become less definitive. The statement indicated that “Boeing and NASA engineers will proceed with thruster disassembly and inspections and continue to finalize 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.”