NASA and Boeing are currently evaluating the performance of the propulsion system of Boeing’s new Starliner spacecraft, causing delays in the return of the first crewed mission from the International Space Station (ISS). The two NASA astronauts, Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams, have been aboard the ISS for over three weeks as the return date has been repeatedly postponed.
The initial return date of June 14 was pushed back to June 18 and then to June 26 due to issues with the craft’s propulsion system. However, a new return date has not been provided by Boeing or NASA yet. The delay was announced on June 21, with NASA and Boeing stating that they are assessing technical issues before approving the spacecraft’s return to Earth.
Steve Stich, head of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, mentioned that the craft is performing well in orbit while docked to the ISS. He emphasized that taking more time to analyze Starliner will provide valuable insights for future missions.
The propulsion issues causing the latest delay are not concerning for the craft’s return, according to Boeing, as the astronauts are not stranded aboard the space station. Starliner’s launch on June 5 marked the first successful crewed mission aboard Boeing’s new spacecraft, following a decade of development and over $5 billion in investment.
NASA stated that they will continue evaluating Starliner’s propulsion and thruster system, crucial for maneuvering during flight. The craft successfully docked with the ISS on June 6 after experiencing leaks that disabled four thrusters. Despite the delays caused by helium leaks, officials assure that Starliner has sufficient helium supply, stability, and no safety concerns for the astronauts.
Once the scheduled spacewalks are completed, NASA and Boeing will consider new return dates for Starliner. Mission managers are working to resolve thruster and helium issues before the spacecraft’s next flight, scheduled for 2025 pending NASA’s approval. The astronauts aboard the ISS are assisting with tasks and research while checking Starliner’s systems for an eventual reentry.
If successful, Boeing will be able to send astronauts to space in future missions, joining SpaceX in this endeavor. SpaceX has been successfully sending crew members to the ISS aboard its Dragon capsule since 2020. Both companies received contracts from NASA to develop replacement spacecraft for the retired Space Shuttles.
Boeing had faced delays with Starliner in the past, with the first non-crewed flight in 2019 failing to reach the ISS. However, a subsequent flight in 2022 successfully reached the space station. Starliner also launched aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket, the same type that sent astronaut John Glenn into space in 1962.
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