The Boeing CST-100 Starliner spacecraft has received encouraging news regarding its return to Earth. Recently completed ground tests of the spacecraft’s thrusters, which have left it in orbit since early June, have paved the way for Boeing and NASA to begin planning its homebound journey.
A recent update 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 turning their attention to data reviews.” The purpose of these tests was to assess thruster performance and understand the reasons behind the failure of some thrusters during flight, and the potential implications of reinstating them.
The term “de-selected” refers to thrusters that ceased functioning, a situation exacerbated by helium leaks in the tanks that control them prior to and during the Starliner launch, which caused several delays. At a press conference last month, officials revealed that the Starliner has 70 hours’ worth of helium onboard, despite needing only seven. Although they indicated that the spacecraft could return at any moment if necessary, they also stated that preparations for the return are still underway.
In their latest update, NASA and Boeing mentioned that a return flight could occur by the end of this month. However, the timeline has become less specific: “Boeing and NASA engineers will proceed with thruster disassembly and inspections, and move forward with finalizing 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.”