Already over a month behind schedule, two NASA astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) are set to extend their stay as engineers address ongoing issues with Boeing’s Starliner capsule.
Test pilots Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams were originally slated for a brief visit to the ISS, with a return planned for mid-June. However, unexpected thruster failures and helium leaks in the new Starliner capsule have necessitated an extended mission while NASA and Boeing work to resolve the problems.
“We’ll come home when we’re ready,” said Steve Stich, NASA’s Commercial Crew Program Manager, emphasizing the importance of safety and the thorough resolution of technical challenges before the astronauts’ return.
The mission managers have yet to announce a new return date, as the priority remains on ensuring the Starliner’s systems are fully operational. Despite the delays, Stich noted that alternative options are under consideration, including the potential use of SpaceX’s Dragon capsule for crew transportation. “NASA always has contingency options,” he added.
Recent tests on a spare thruster in the New Mexico desert revealed degraded seals as a likely cause of the helium leaks and thruster malfunctions. Engineers plan to conduct additional thruster test-firings this weekend while the capsule remains docked to the ISS to collect more data and better understand the issues.
The thruster failures occurred during the capsule’s approach to the ISS on June 6, with five thrusters failing initially. Four have since been reactivated. Each of the 28 maneuvering thrusters is compact, weighing approximately 1 kilogram and sized to fit in a hand. These are critical components for the capsule’s navigation and docking procedures.
The Starliner capsule represents Boeing’s entry into NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, which was established following the retirement of the space shuttles to facilitate astronaut transportation to and from the ISS via private companies. While SpaceX has been successfully ferrying astronauts since 2020, this mission marks Boeing’s first crewed test flight following previous uncrewed test flights in 2019 and 2022 that encountered software and technical issues.
As work continues to resolve the Starliner’s technical challenges, the astronauts’ extended stay highlights the complexities and risks inherent in human spaceflight. The situation underscores the importance of rigorous testing and the collaborative efforts between NASA and private aerospace companies in advancing space exploration.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
