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NASA’s uncertainty over the return of astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore to Earth is likely to end soon, as Starliner has completed a docked hot fire test of the spacecraft’s reaction control system (RCS) thrusters. In a press release on Saturday, Starliner said that following this test, which also monitored the spacecraft’s helium system, two undock-to-landing simulation tests will be conducted this week. However, the landing date has not been decided yet.
Boeing Starliner provided an update on the mission, saying, “A Flight Test Readiness Review is planned for late next week, and data collected today will be reviewed and incorporated into the justification for a return flight. Although a landing date has not yet been determined, opportunities are available throughout August.”
Docked hot fire test of Starliner
The Starliner team successfully completed testing the spacecraft for a second time. The team also monitored its helium system and provided additional data points for the Crew Flight Test’s return to Earth.
Sharing the results of the docked hot fire test, Starliner Flight Director Chloe Mehring said, “The integrated teams between Starliner and the ISS worked very well this week to finalize and safely execute the docked hot-fire sequence.”
Flight test astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams sent real-time feedback from Starliner Calypso to the ground during the test. Both are expected to participate in two undock-to-landing simulations next week. The Starliner and NASA teams will also conduct a Flight Test Readiness Review next week. Although there are enough dates suitable for the safe return of the Starliner spacecraft from NASA’s International Space Station (ISS), a landing date has not yet been set.
As efforts continue to bring the Starliner spacecraft back home, NASA is grappling with impending congestion on the ISS due to recent delays and technical glitches involving SpaceX and Boeing. The US space agency could see an increase in traffic on the ISS after astronauts were forced to emergency ashore due to debris and propulsion problems with the new Boeing spacecraft, according to NASA officials.
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Published: July 29, 2024, 10:26 am IST
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