NASA extends Starliner return for data review

NASA and Boeing have decided to take an additional four days to analyze the mission data in detail before authorizing the Starliner’s return to Earth. According to the new schedule, Starliner will undock from the International Space Station on June 25 at 10:10 pm ET, with a landing scheduled for June 26 at 4:51 am ET at the White Sands, New Mexico facility.

Evaluation of technical problems

The delay decision is based on the need to resolve two critical technical problems that arose during the Starliner flight to the International Space Station. These problems include five leaks in the helium system that pressurizes the propulsion system and the failure of five of the 28 thrusters in the reaction control system. Since the discovery of these problems, NASA and Boeing engineers have been working intensively to understand and fix these failures.

In the latest tests, engineers observed lower helium leak rates. Although the exact cause of the leaks has not been fully identified, it is believed that they could be related to a seal in the flange between the impeller and the manifold. This finding made it possible to manage the loss of helium. In addition, testing of the reaction control system thrusters was successful, with four of the five thrusters functioning correctly, which is vital for Starliner’s undocking and orbit departure.

This flight is of paramount importance because it is the first manned flight of the Starliner vehicle developed with NASA funds to provide transportation services to the International Space Station. The goal is to perform regular flights with four astronauts in six-month rotations. This test flight, with astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, seeks to obtain data to certify the Starliner for operational missions.

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The return of the Starliner

Starliner’ s first operational mission could take place in early 2025, possibly in February or March. However, NASA must decide whether this mission will be assigned to the Starliner or SpaceX’s Dragon vehicle for the Crew-10 mission. Current technical problems suggest that Starliner’s operational mission could be delayed until August or September 2025. A final decision has not yet been made, as NASA needs to evaluate the results of this test flight.

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Source and photo: NASA