The Boeing CST-100 Starliner recently received encouraging news regarding its return to Earth. After completing ground tests of the spacecraft’s thrusters, which have left it in orbit since early June, Boeing and NASA are now preparing for the vessel’s homecoming.
An update shared late last week confirmed, “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 tests aimed to identify thruster degradation and understand the reasons behind some thrusters being “de-selected” during flight, and the potential effects of restoring those thrusters to service on the Crew Flight Test.
The term “de-selected” refers to thrusters that stopped functioning. Issues with the helium tanks that manage the thrusters resulted in leaks before and during the Starliner’s launch, which caused several delays. Officials indicated that the spacecraft contains 70 hours of helium onboard, even though only seven hours are necessary for operation. While they mentioned that Starliner could return immediately if required, they also noted that additional preparations are needed.
The most recent update from NASA and Boeing suggested a possible return flight at the end of this month, but the timeline has since become less specific. The teams will now focus on disassembling and inspecting the thrusters, as well as finalizing flight rationale to prepare for Starliner’s eventual return to Earth with commander Butch Wilmore and pilot Suni Williams in the coming weeks.