The crew of the Boeing CST-100 Starliner has received encouraging news regarding their return to Earth. Recent ground tests on the spacecraft’s thrusters, which have left it in orbit since early June, have been completed. Boeing and NASA had been awaiting these tests to outline the spacecraft’s return journey.
An update released last week detailed, “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 understand the degradation of the thrusters, particularly why some thrusters were not functioning during flight and the implications of potentially reactivating them.
The term “de-selected” refers to the thrusters that ceased to operate. Prior to and during the Starliner launch, leaks were discovered in the helium tanks that manage the thrusters, which contributed to several delays. Officials mentioned that although the spacecraft has enough helium for 70 hours, it only requires seven hours for its operations. While they stated earlier this month that the spacecraft could return to Earth immediately if necessary, they indicated that they are not yet ready for that to happen.
In the latest update, NASA and Boeing mentioned that a return flight could be possible by the end of this month. However, the timeline has since become less specific, with plans for Boeing and NASA engineers to begin disassembling and inspecting the thrusters and continue with preparations for a safe return of Starliner with commander Butch Wilmore and pilot Suni Williams in the upcoming weeks.