NASA, Boeing Push Back Starliner’s Return To Address Helium Leak, Thruster Issues

NASA and Boeing decided to delay the astronaut landing due to some issues in the spacecraft.

NASA and Boeing Push Back Starlink's Landing

The landing of the Boeing Starliner capsule's first astronaut flight has been rescheduled. Approximately one week later than the previously announced target date of June 26.

The recent update suggested that Starliner will remain docked at the International Space Station (ISS) until at least July 2. The additional time will give NASA and Boeing more opportunity to evaluate several of the vehicle's problems.

"We are taking our time and following our standard mission management team process," said Steve Stich, NASA's Commercial Crew Program manager, on Friday.

Stitch added that they let the facts guide their decisions regarding handling the minor helium system leaks and thruster performance they observed during the rendezvous and docking.

Stich pointed out that the arrival could have been more seamless. However, Starliner encountered issues with five of its 28 reaction control system (RCS) thrusters while pursuing the International Space Station (ISS). Eventually, four of them were brought back online.

Moreover, the CFT team has discovered five tiny helium leaks in Starliner's propulsion system. Four appeared after the United Launch Alliance Atlas V capsule descended off its rocket; one was seen before launch but was not considered a significant problem.

Initially, Starliner was supposed to be on this shakeout trip at the ISS for around a week. However, on June 9, NASA and Boeing declared that the departure date had been rescheduled to no sooner than June 18, giving more time for Starliner checkouts and to accommodate a scheduled NASA spacewalk at the ISS on June 13.

On Tuesday (June 18), the scheduled departure date was moved to June 26. Similar justifications were offered: the additional time would enable a more thorough analysis of the RCS thruster problems and helium leakage. There was also still a spacewalk to be done. However, the June 13 excursion was rescheduled to June 24 due to a suit malfunction that one of the assigned spacewalkers was having.

NASA officials announced on Friday that the agency intends to finish the spacewalk before Starliner returns home, and they expect to do so on July 2.

Stich emphasized that NASA continues to believe in Starliner and stated that the repeated CFT extensions are not a cause for concern. Starliner is reportedly performing well and will only use the extra time to gain valuable insight into the system for post-certification missions.

ALSO READ : 2 NASA Astronauts Arrive To Serve As Test Pilots for Boeing's Starliner Capsule a Week Before Its Mission Launch

Boeing's Starliner Launch

Starliner launched atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on June 5 and reached the International Space Station (ISS) a day later.

The crew members include renowned space program veterans Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. Both have already visited the ISS twice before the flight.

Wilmore asserted that everything about the Boeing spacecraft was new and distinct, while Williams claimed their return to the International Space Station was "like going back home."