The Boeing CST-100 Starliner crew has received encouraging news regarding their upcoming return to Earth. The completion of ground testing on the spacecraft’s thrusters, which have left it in orbit since early June, marks a significant step forward. Boeing and NASA were waiting for these tests to be finalized before making plans for the spacecraft’s return journey.
An update from 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 aim of the tests was to assess thruster performance and degradation to better understand why certain thrusters failed during flight and to evaluate the implications of reactivating them for the Crew Flight Test.
The term “de-selected” refers to thrusters that ceased functioning. Prior to and during the launch of Starliner, there were issues with the helium tanks that manage the thrusters, resulting in multiple delays. Although officials indicated last month that the spacecraft is equipped with 70 hours of helium while only needing seven, they stated that while the craft could return if necessary, it is not yet fully prepared for landing.
In the latest update, NASA and Boeing suggested that a return flight could potentially occur at the end of this month. However, the timeline has become less specific: “Boeing and NASA engineers will continue with thruster disassembly and inspections, and will finalize the flight rationale to support readiness reviews for Starliner’s scheduled return to Earth with commander Butch Wilmore and pilot Suni Williams in the upcoming weeks.”