The crew of the Boeing CST-100 Starliner is receiving encouraging news about their eventual return to Earth. Recent ground tests completed on the spacecraft’s thrusters, which have kept it in orbit since early June, have paved the way for planning its return journey.
An update from last week confirmed the successful ground testing of a Starliner Reaction Control System (RCS) thruster at the White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico. Teams are now focusing on reviewing the data gathered from these tests. The primary goal was to understand the degradation of some thrusters that were deactivated during flight and to assess the implications of possibly returning them to service for the upcoming Crew Flight Test.
The term “de-selected” refers to some thrusters ceasing to function. Prior to and during the Starliner launch, helium tanks that control the thrusters experienced leaks, causing several delays. Officials indicated at a press conference last month that the spacecraft contains 70 hours’ worth of helium, despite only requiring seven for its operations. While they mentioned that the craft could return to Earth immediately if necessary, they also clarified that they are not fully prepared for that event yet.
NASA and Boeing had initially suggested that a return flight could occur at the end of this month. However, the timeline has since become less specific. The most recent update states that engineers will continue with thruster disassembly and inspections, as well as finalize plans for the spacecraft’s safe return to Earth, which will include commander Butch Wilmore and pilot Suni Williams in the next few weeks.