Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft will remain docked at the International Space Station (ISS) longer than initially planned as engineers undertake extensive testing to address issues with its thrusters, a NASA official announced on Friday.
The spacecraft, which delivered its first crew to the ISS on June 6, encountered problems with five of its 28 thrusters during docking procedures, leading to an unexpected mission extension. NASA and Boeing have not set a new return date but assured that the astronauts on board are safe.
“We need a couple of weeks to thoroughly test and resolve the thruster issues,” explained Steve Stich, NASA’s Commercial Crew Program Manager. He emphasized the importance of ensuring the spacecraft’s systems are fully operational before re-entry.
A joint team from NASA and Boeing will conduct ground tests at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. These tests aim to replicate the conditions experienced in space to evaluate the performance of the thrusters and identify the root cause of the malfunctions.
The docking on June 6 was delayed by an hour due to the thruster failures. Boeing engineers were able to adjust the propulsion system’s software, restoring functionality to four of the five affected thrusters, allowing the Starliner to safely dock with the ISS. The fifth thruster’s failure was determined to be unrelated to the others, prompting further investigation.
“This ground testing is a critical step in resolving the issues we’ve faced,” Stich noted. “Our priority is the safety of the crew and ensuring the success of this mission.”
The Starliner program is a key component of NASA’s efforts to diversify transportation to the ISS, complementing SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft. The successful resolution of these technical challenges is essential for maintaining robust and reliable access to space, which holds significance for global scientific collaboration and exploration.
The delay also underscores the complexities of space travel and the rigorous testing required to overcome unforeseen obstacles. As space agencies and private companies worldwide, including those in Asia, advance their own programs, the experiences from missions like Starliner’s contribute valuable lessons to the global space community.
As Boeing and NASA work diligently to resolve the thruster issues, the extended stay of Starliner at the ISS serves as a reminder of the challenges inherent in space exploration and the collaborative efforts necessary to address them.
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Boeing Starliner's return from space to hinge on weeks of more testing
cgtn.com
