The Boeing team conducted an extensive test on the spacecraft under Starliner docking, evaluating the Reaction Control System(RCS) thrusters and verifying the helium system. This test is the second successful test of its kind to gather additional information prior to the return of the manned flight test to Earth.
Successful Starliner docking
Under the direction of Chloe Mehring, Starliner flight director, and with Boeing engineers monitoring from the console, flight controllers sequentially activated 27 RCS thrusters. Mehring, who will lead the team during undocking from the International Space Station(ISS), highlighted the excellent coordination between the teams at Starliner and thea ISSwhich made it possible to safely and effectively execute the ignition and shutdown sequence.
Each of the thruster runs were designed to confirm their individual performance. Those facing backward were turned on for 1.2 seconds, while the others were turned on for 0.40 seconds. After each run, the team reviewed the real-time data, confirming that all thrusters operated within nominal parameters, with thrust values ranging from 97% to 102%. In addition, the stability of the helium system was verified and a previous problem with an RCS oxidizer isolation valve was resolved, which is now functioning properly after several activations during the test.
This achievement marks the second time the spacecraft has successfully powered up while docked, demonstrating the ability of the station and Starliner teams to perform integrated operations during future extended missions.
Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who were part of the test crew, were inside the Starliner Calypso and provided real-time feedback to the team on the ground. In preparation for their return, Wilmore and Williams will participate in two undocking and landing simulations next week.
For the time being, a flight test preparation check is scheduled for the end of next week. During this test, the data collected will be analyzed and incorporated into the justification for the return flight. Although an exact date for landing has not yet been defined, it is believed that opportunities will be available throughout August.
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Source and photo: Starliner Updates / Boeing
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