The crew of the Boeing CST-100 Starliner has received some positive news regarding their return home. Earth-based testing of the spacecraft’s thrusters, which have left it in orbit since early June, has recently concluded. Boeing and NASA were awaiting the completion of these tests before they could begin planning the vehicle’s homeward journey.
According to a recent update, “Ground testing of a Starliner Reaction Control System (RCS) thruster at White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico is complete, and teams are now focused on data reviews.” The aim of the tests was to assess thruster degradation, helping the teams understand why certain thrusters were not functioning during flight and the potential impacts of reactivating them for the upcoming Crew Flight Test.
The term “de-selected” refers to certain thrusters that ceased operation. Prior to and during the Starliner launch, helium tanks that control the thrusters experienced leaks, resulting in several delays. Officials stated last month that the spacecraft carries 70 hours’ worth of helium, far more than the seven hours needed for its operations. While they mentioned earlier that the craft could return if necessary, they indicated it is not ready for that just yet.
NASA and Boeing have suggested that a return flight could occur by the end of this month, but the timeline is now less specific. “Boeing and NASA engineers will proceed with thruster disassembly and inspections, and will continue finalizing flight rationale in support of readiness reviews for Starliner’s scheduled return to Earth with commander Butch Wilmore and pilot Suni Williams in the coming weeks.”