The Boeing CST-100 Starliner crew is receiving encouraging news regarding its return to Earth. Recently, ground testing of the spacecraft’s thrusters was successfully completed, paving the way for Boeing and NASA to begin planning the vessel’s homecoming. These thrusters have kept the spacecraft in orbit since early June.
An update released last week stated, “Ground testing of a Starliner Reaction Control System (RCS) thruster at White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico is complete, and teams are now focusing on data reviews.” The purpose of the tests was to examine thruster performance and understand the issues that led to the in-flight failure of several thrusters.
The term “de-selected” refers to the thrusters that ceased functioning. Prior to and during the Starliner launch, tanks containing the helium that operates the thrusters experienced leaks, causing several delays. Officials noted in a press conference last month that the spacecraft still carries 70 hours’ worth of helium, while only 7 hours are necessary for its operations. They previously mentioned that the craft could technically return to Earth if needed, but they are not fully prepared for that to happen yet.
During the last update, NASA and Boeing indicated that a possible return flight could occur at the end of this month. However, the timeline has since become less precise: “Boeing and NASA engineers will proceed with thruster disassembly and inspections, and continue finalizing flight rationale for readiness reviews regarding Starliner’s return to Earth with commander Butch Wilmore and pilot Suni Williams in the coming weeks.”