The Boeing CST-100 Starliner crew has received encouraging news regarding their return to Earth. Recently completed ground tests of the spacecraft’s thrusters, which have kept the vehicle in space since early June, mark a significant step forward. Boeing and NASA had awaited the results of these tests before initiating plans for the Starliner’s homecoming.
The latest update indicates that testing of the Starliner’s Reaction Control System (RCS) thruster at the White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico has concluded, and the teams are now focused on analyzing the data gathered. The objective behind the tests was to assess any potential degradation of the thrusters, as some were deactivated during the flight due to issues related to helium leaks in the pressurized tanks—an issue that had caused multiple delays prior to launch. Fortunately, officials report that the spacecraft has a robust supply of helium onboard, totaling 70 hours, despite only requiring seven hours for its operations.
While officials have indicated that the Starliner could technically return to Earth immediately if necessary, they are proceeding cautiously and have not yet finalized a schedule for its return. The timeline has become more flexible, but it remains clear that engineers will now conduct disassembly and inspections of the thrusters and finalize the readiness reviews for the spacecraft’s nominal return. The return of Commander Butch Wilmore and Pilot Suni Williams is anticipated in the coming weeks.
Overall, these developments symbolize significant progress in overcoming hurdles and highlight the resilient collaborative efforts of Boeing and NASA. As they move forward in this intricate process, the hope is that the Starliner will soon be safely back on Earth, paving the way for future missions.