The Boeing CST-100 Starliner crew has received encouraging news regarding their spacecraft’s impending return to Earth. Recently completed ground tests of the spacecraft’s thrusters mark a significant step toward resuming planning for its return. Since early June, the Starliner has been orbiting in space, awaiting this critical assessment.
A statement released late last week confirmed that testing of the Starliner’s Reaction Control System (RCS) thruster at the White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico has concluded. Now, engineers are focused on analyzing the data collected during these tests. The objective was to investigate the issues that led to the malfunction of certain thrusters during flight and to evaluate the feasibility of reactivating them for the spacecraft’s eventual return.
The term “de-selected” refers to the thrusters that ceased functioning, a problem attributed to leaks in the helium tanks used to operate them, resulting in multiple launch delays. Despite the setbacks, officials note that the Starliner has a substantial helium reserve onboard—70 hours’ worth of helium, as opposed to the seven hours it requires for operations. While NASA has indicated that the spacecraft could return to Earth if necessary, it appears that a cautious approach is being taken to ensure everything is in optimal condition.
In the most recent update, Boeing and NASA suggested a return could happen by the end of this month, though a precise timeline remains uncertain. The next steps involve disassembling and inspecting the thrusters and finalizing the operational rationale to support the spacecraft’s readiness for its nominal return, which will include astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams.
This development is promising and reflects the resilience of both NASA and Boeing as they work diligently to address challenges and ensure the safety of the crew. The eventual successful return of the Starliner could pave the way for future missions and further advancements in space exploration.
Overall, as testing and evaluations progress, there’s a hopeful outlook for the Starliner’s return, underlining the commitment of both organizations to overcome obstacles in space travel.