According to NASA, there is still no official return date for the first astronaut-crewed capsule from Boeing Starliner, which was launched to the International Space Station (ISS) on June 5. The capsule is now docked at the station.
During a joint news briefing with Boeing executives, NASA Commercial Crew Program Manager Steve Stich stated that the return date is still uncertain and that the team is making “great progress” but is not yet prepared to return to Earth.
Officials have announced that experienced NASA astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams would not be returning until at least August, extending what was initially scheduled to be an eight-day mission to more than fifty days.
Boeing claims that the Starliner capsule’s helium leaks and thruster malfunctions during the launch to the International Space Station have resulted in ongoing delays.
Stich said that testing of the capsule’s propulsion system has been underway in White Sands, New Mexico, by the aerospace giant in an effort to determine the source of the problems. This weekend, the results will be analyzed.
According to Stich, NASA would not approve a return trip until they have reviewed Boeing’s engineering, which might take as long as the first week of August.
As the first flight test with an astronaut crew began on June 11, Boeing said the capsule was suffering five “small” helium leaks. For the spacecraft’s reaction control system (RCS) maneuvering thrusters to function, Boeing states that helium is utilized to pressurize them.
NASA has previously announced that the spacecraft had enough fuel to remain in orbit until at least mid-August.
When questioned about potential alternatives to the Starliner, Stitch stated that SpaceX’s Crew Dragon had been considered as a backup plan but that Boeing’s ship remained their primary concern. They are determined to have the two astronauts return on the Starliner.
