The Boeing CST-100 Starliner crew has received promising news regarding their return to Earth. Recent tests of the spacecraft’s thrusters, which have kept it in orbit since early June, have been completed. Boeing and NASA were waiting for these tests to plan the vehicle’s homecoming.
An update shared 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 tests aimed to assess thruster degradation and to understand the reasons behind some thrusters being deselected during the flight, as well as evaluating the potential impact of reactivating them on the remainder of the Crew Flight Test.
The term “de-selected” refers to thrusters that ceased functioning. Prior to and during the launch, helium tanks controlling the thrusters experienced leaks, causing several delays. Officials noted in a press conference last month that the spacecraft holds an ample supply of helium, with 70 hours’ worth on board despite its need for only seven hours. While they mentioned that the craft could return immediately if necessary, they advised that they are not fully prepared for that scenario yet.
The latest update from NASA and Boeing indicated the possibility of a return flight by the end of this month. However, the timeline has since become less definitive. The statement added, “Boeing and NASA engineers will proceed with thruster disassembly and inspections, and advance efforts to finalize flight rationale in support of readiness reviews for Starliner’s scheduled return to Earth with commander Butch Wilmore and pilot Suni Williams in the coming weeks.”