The Boeing CST-100 Starliner crew has received positive news regarding their return to Earth as recent ground tests of the spacecraft’s thrusters have been completed. These thrusters have kept the Starliner in space since early June, and both Boeing and NASA were waiting for the successful completion of these tests to plan the ship’s return journey.
An update shared last week indicated that the testing of a Starliner Reaction Control System (RCS) thruster at the White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico has concluded, allowing teams to focus on reviewing the data. The aim of the tests was to evaluate any degradation in the thrusters and understand the reasons behind the in-flight malfunction of some thrusters, as well as to assess the implications of potentially bringing those thrusters back into service.
Officials reported that certain thrusters had been “de-selected,” meaning they ceased functioning prior to or during the Starliner’s launch due to leaking helium tanks that control the thrusters. Despite these challenges, the spacecraft maintains a sufficient helium supply, with 70 hours’ worth on board, although it requires only seven hours for its operation. Officials previously stated that the craft could return immediately if necessary but emphasized that they are not fully prepared for a return just yet.
In the latest update, NASA and Boeing indicated that a return flight could occur at the end of this month. However, the timing now appears less certain: “Boeing and NASA engineers will continue with the disassembly and inspections of the thrusters and will finalize flight rationale to support readiness reviews for Starliner’s scheduled return to Earth with commander Butch Wilmore and pilot Suni Williams in the upcoming weeks.”