Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, which successfully delivered NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore to the International Space Station (ISS) on June 6, is set to depart the orbiting laboratory on Tuesday, June 25, after an extended mission to conduct engine tests. The decision to keep the Starliner at the ISS for several more days was made due to issues with some of its reaction control thrusters, which failed on final approach during the spacecraft’s initial arrival at the station.
The Starliner and its two crew members were initially scheduled to stay at the ISS for about a week, but the mission was extended to allow for the engine tests to evaluate the performance of the spacecraft’s reaction control thrusters. The tests were carried out over the weekend, and mission teams supporting the Starliner flight are currently reviewing the resulting data.
The reaction control thrusters are a critical component of the Starliner’s system, playing a vital role during reentry into Earth’s atmosphere. With five of the 28 thrusters failing on final approach, NASA was concerned about the performance of the spacecraft. Although four of the faulty thrusters eventually began working again, the mission controllers decided to conduct the engine tests to ensure the Starliner’s safe return.
During the extended mission, Williams and Wilmore were able to conduct a series of scientific experiments and tests on the ISS, while also participating in educational events and outreach activities with schools and the public. Despite the delays, the crew remains safe and healthy, with no issues reported during their time on the station.
Starliner Spacecraft Prepares to Depart International Space Station After Extended Mission
The undocking of the Starliner spacecraft is now targeted for no earlier than 10:10 p.m. ET on Tuesday, June 25, with the crew expected to land at about 4:51 a.m. ET on Wednesday, June 26, at the White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico. This will mark the first time an American capsule has touched down on land with astronauts aboard, with previous landings having taken place on water.
This is the second time the Starliner has rendezvoused with the ISS, although its first visit in 2022 was without any astronauts on board. The spacecraft, built by Boeing, is a key component of NASA’s commercial crew program, which aims to provide safe and reliable transportation to and from the ISS for NASA astronauts.
The delayed departure and extended mission have provided valuable insights into the performance of the Starliner spacecraft, and its ability to adapt to unexpected issues. The mission highlights the importance of thorough testing and evaluation of spacecraft systems to ensure the safety of both the crew and the spacecraft.
