The Boeing CST-100 Starliner crew is cautiously optimistic about their return to Earth following the completion of essential ground testing on the spacecraft’s thrusters. These thrusters have kept the Starliner in orbit since early June, and the successful tests were necessary before Boeing and NASA could begin making plans for its journey back home.
Recent updates confirmed that the ground testing of a Starliner Reaction Control System (RCS) thruster at the White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico has concluded. Teams will now analyze the data collected during these tests. The primary goal was to study the degradation of the thrusters to understand why some failed during flight and to assess any potential impact of reactivating them on the ongoing Crew Flight Test.
Officials indicated that the term “de-selected” refers to thrusters that ceased functioning. Prior to and during the Starliner’s launch, leaks were found in the helium tanks controlling the thrusters, contributing to several delays. Although there are currently 70 hours’ worth of helium onboard—far exceeding the seven hours needed—the spacecraft is not yet prepared for an immediate return.
In the latest briefing, NASA and Boeing hinted that a return flight could occur by the end of the month. However, the timeline is now less specific, as Boeing and NASA engineers will focus on disassembling and inspecting the thrusters while finalizing the flight rationale to ensure the Starliner, with commander Butch Wilmore and pilot Suni Williams aboard, is fully prepared for its return to Earth in the coming weeks.