The Boeing CST-100 Starliner crew received some encouraging news regarding their return. Recent ground testing of the spacecraft’s thrusters, which have kept it in orbit since early June, has been successfully completed. Boeing and NASA were awaiting the outcomes of these tests before planning the spacecraft’s re-entry.
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Last week, an update indicated that the testing of a Starliner Reaction Control System (RCS) thruster at the White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico was complete, and teams are now focused on reviewing the data. The testing aimed to identify thruster degradation, allowing teams to understand why some thrusters were disabled during flight and the potential effects of reactivating them.
The term “de-selected” refers to certain thrusters ceasing to function. Issues with helium tanks controlling the thrusters led to leaks before and during the Starliner’s launch, causing multiple delays. Officials mentioned last month that the spacecraft has 70 hours of helium onboard, despite only needing seven. They noted earlier this month that while the craft could return if necessary, they are not yet prepared for that move.
At the last update, both NASA and Boeing suggested the possibility of a return flight by the end of the month. However, the timeline has become less specific: “Boeing and NASA engineers will proceed with thruster disassembly and inspections and continue solidifying flight rationale to prepare for readiness reviews for Starliner’s nominal return to Earth with commander Butch Wilmore and pilot Suni Williams in the coming weeks.”