NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test Starliner spacecraft is shown attached to the forward port of the Harmony module as the International Space Station orbits 263 miles above the Mediterranean Sea. Credit: NASA
Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft is stuck on the space station for now NASA and Boeing adjusted the reentry plan to address problems in the propulsion system while managing conflicts with planned spacewalks International Space Station.
This delay allows for comprehensive revisions and system checks, parallel to procedures from previous missions. While these assessments are underway, astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams remain active aboard the ISS, well-supplied and with no immediate need to return to Earth.
NASA and Boeing delay Starliner return
NASA and Boeing executives have once again modified the return to Earth of the Starliner Crew Flight Test spacecraft with agency astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams from the International Space Station (ISS). The move from Wednesday, June 26, deconflicts the Starliner’s undocking and landing from a series of planned International Space Station spacewalks while giving mission teams time to review propulsion system data. Listen to the full recording (embedded below) of the June 18 media briefing where NASA and Boeing executives discussed the ongoing effort.
Mission control and security reviews
“We’re taking our time and following a standard mission management team,” said Steve Stich, NASA’s commercial crew program manager. “We let the data guide our decision-making in relation to managing the small helium system leaks and thruster performance that we observed during rendezvous and docking. Additionally, given the duration of the mission, it is appropriate that we complete an agency-level review, similar to what was done before NASA SpaceX Demo-2 returns after two months in orbit to document the agency’s formal approval to proceed as planned.
Future return options and preparedness
A media teleconference with mission leadership will follow the conclusion of the readiness review, and the agency will share those details as they are finalized. Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft remains cleared for return in the event of an emergency to the space station that required the crew to leave orbit and return to Earth.
Mission managers are evaluating future reentry options after the station’s two planned spacewalks on Monday, June 24 and Tuesday, July 2.
Auroras stream below the Boeing Starliner spacecraft that docked with the forward port on the Harmony module as the International Space Station blasted 266 miles over the Indian Ocean southwest of Australia. Credit: NASA
In-orbit performance and crew integration
“Starliner does well in orbit when it’s attached to the space station,” Stich said. “We are strategically using the extra time to clear the way for some critical station activities while finalizing preparations for Butch and Suni’s return to Starliner and gaining valuable insight into the system upgrades we will want to make for post-certification missions.”
NASA Boeing Crew Flight Test astronauts (top) Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams pose for a portrait inside the lobby between the forward port on the International Space Station’s Harmony module and the Boeing Starliner spacecraft. Credit: NASA
Positive crew feedback and delivery status
Wilmore and Williams remain integrated with the Expedition 71 crew, assisting with station operations as needed and completing additional in-flight objectives for NASA certification of the Starliner.
“The feedback from the crew has been overwhelmingly positive, and they know that every bit of learning we do in the crew flight test will enhance and enhance our experience for future crews,” said Mark Nappi, vice president and program manager of Boeing’s Starliner program.
The crew is not pressed for time to leave the station, as there are plenty of supplies in orbit and the station schedule is relatively open until mid-August.