The saga of the first manned flight of the Starliner spacecraft is nearing completion. On July 20, NASA and Boeing engineers completed successful testing of the spacecraft’s engines. Positive test results suggest that the first spacecraft’s return to Earth by astronauts could finally be completed in the coming days.
The Starliner CST-100 docked with the ISS on June 6, a day after launching on an Atlas V rocket. A previous launch attempt failed due to a helium leak. Two more leaks were detected after takeoff, and two more after docking. During the first docking attempt, five engines failed.
The Starliner crew that was scheduled to return on June 14 was “trapped” on the ISS, and now they are still aboard the ISS. NASA and Boeing officials say the Starliner can safely return the astronauts, and the long delay allowed for additional testing. NASA assures that the astronauts are “not trapped.”
NASA said July 20 that astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams tested 27 of Starliner’s 28 engines, evaluating their performance and helium leak rates. Preliminary results are encouraging and consistent with required results for the return of the crew.
Wilmore and Williams also checked the water system and internal pressure after the engines were ignited. Engine test data is now being analyzed. Once the analysis is complete, NASA will announce the date of the crew’s return.
Boeing said the flight test readiness check would take place later this week. The astronauts will also undergo two simulations of the docking procedure.
Starliner, part of Boeing’s $4.3 billion contract with NASA’s Commercial Flight Program, has faced numerous delays, cost overruns and technical problems. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson criticized Boeing in 2022 for falling behind rival SpaceX in developing a reusable crew capsule.
Earlier we reported on how the Starliner spacecraft was seen through a telescope during docking with the ISS.
According to nasa.gov
