The Boeing CST-100 Starliner crew has received encouraging news regarding their return to Earth. Recent ground tests of the spacecraft’s thrusters have been completed, which had kept the vehicle in orbit since early June. Boeing and NASA had awaited the outcome of these tests to plan for the spacecraft’s homecoming.
The testing took place at the White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico, where teams focused on observing thruster degradation. They aimed to understand the reasons some thrusters were inactive during flight and assess the potential effects of reactivating them on the overall mission.
Officials noted that some thrusters were “de-selected,” indicating they had malfunctioned. There were issues with helium tanks, which control the thrusters, leaking before and during the Starliner launch, resulting in several delays. A press conference revealed that the spacecraft is equipped with 70 hours of helium, significantly more than the seven hours it requires. While officials stated earlier this month that the Starliner could return immediately if necessary, they emphasized they are not yet ready for that to happen.
The latest communication from NASA and Boeing suggested a possible return flight by the end of this month. However, this timeline has now become less defined, with engineers preparing for thruster disassembly and inspections, and finalizing plans for the spacecraft’s planned return. The mission is set to be led by commander Butch Wilmore and pilot Suni Williams in the upcoming weeks.