The first crewed test flight of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, originally projected to last only a few days, now faces uncertainty with no definitive return date. NASA’s Commercial Crew Program manager, Steve Stich, revealed that the US space agency is considering extending the mission’s duration from 45 days to 90 days, according to CNN.
Addressing technical challenges
The Starliner faced several technical issues, including helium leaks and thruster outages during its journey to the International Space Station in early June. Despite these setbacks, officials maintain that the spacecraft is safe to bring astronauts Sunita ‘Suni’ Williams and Butch Wilmore home. Stich emphasized, “We’re not in a rush to come home.”
Ground tests in New Mexico
Boeing and NASA plan to conduct ground tests in New Mexico to better understand the thruster failures. Mark Nappi, vice president and program manager of the Commercial Crew Program for Boeing, said, “So, if [the test in New Mexico] comes back and gives us all the answers, then we can just undock and come home.”
Williams and Wilmore have integrated with the rest of the crew aboard the International Space Station, conducting routine tasks. The Starliner’s service module, which faced several issues, will not survive the return to Earth, prompting NASA and Boeing to gather as much data as possible while the spacecraft remains docked.
Evaluating mission extension
NASA is considering extending the mission to 90 days, pending verification of the Starliner’s battery life. Stich noted that the batteries are being recharged at the space station and should operate effectively for the extended duration.
Comparisons with SpaceX’s Crew Dragon
Boeing’s Starliner program has faced notable challenges, especially when compared to SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, which completed its first test flight in 2020 and has been conducting routine missions since. Nappi defended the Starliner’s progress, stating, “We’ve got a really good test flight that’s been accomplished so far, and it’s being viewed rather negatively.”
Ongoing space mission updates
The Expedition 71 crew recently packed a US cargo craft, cleaned the International Space Station, studied futuristic piloting techniques, and conducted eye exams. NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test astronauts reconfigured a space botany facility, while other crew members managed biomedical gear and reprogrammed communication systems.
NASA is now targeting the end of July for the next spacewalk outside the space station. This delay allows ground teams to troubleshoot and understand a water leak in the service and cooling umbilical unit that forced an early end to a previous spacewalk.
As NASA and Boeing continue to evaluate the Starliner’s propulsion system performance, the mission’s potential extension underscores the complexities and challenges of modern space exploration. The success of this mission will not only mark a significant milestone for Boeing but also contribute valuable insights into the future of human spaceflight.