Boeing’s Starliner Spacecraft Successfully Carried Astronauts to Space — The Next Challenge: Safely Returning Them to Earth

Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft continues to face setbacks, extending the voyage for its two-member crew far beyond the originally scheduled timeframe due to ongoing technical challenges in space. The long-awaited launch occurred earlier this month after numerous postponements, yet these issues persist.

NASA and Boeing officials have now extended the mission of astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who will not return to Earth until June 26, rather than the expected June 14. This extension translates to a minimum of 20 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS), significantly more than the initially planned eight days.

“This additional time allows our team to thoroughly review the data and conduct analyses to ensure a safe return,” said NASA’s Steve Stich in a media briefing on Tuesday.

The technical hitches plaguing the Starliner, particularly during its approach to the ISS, include ongoing helium leaks within its propulsion system and the failure of several thrusters. Out of five malfunctioning thrusters during the capsule’s approach, four have been rectified, leaving one non-operational. The team has opted not to attempt further repairs on it. Nevertheless, with a total of 28 thrusters, this issue is not expected to hamper the spacecraft’s departure from the ISS or navigation back to Earth. The helium leakage, while concerning, is also not anticipated to affect the completion of the mission’s objectives, though the reason behind it is still under investigation.

The spacecraft contains a service module, which houses the problematic thrusters and helium leaks. This module is designed to disintegrate upon re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere, a factor contributing to the cautious approach in resolving these issues, explained Stich.

Once confident in the spacecraft’s condition and performance, mission leaders have slated Wilmore and Williams to detach from the ISS on June 25, aiming for a landing at New Mexico’s White Sands Test Facility at 1:51 a.m. PT on June 26, with a backup option on July 2.

Boeing’s Starliner represents a key development in astronaut transport, offering an alternative to SpaceX’s Dragon capsule, which has been operational since 2020. This demonstration flight is pivotal for NASA’s certification of the Starliner for regular crewed missions, projected to commence as early as 2025. Despite the current challenges, including the helium leaks and thruster problems, decisions regarding the timeline remain pending, contingent on a thorough resolution and understanding of these issues, according to Stich.