NASA and Boeing have announced yet another delay for the Boeing Starliner’s departure from the International Space Station (ISS), pushing back its return to Earth until at least early July. This marks the fourth delay this month for the spacecraft’s departure.
The decision to delay the Starliner’s return stems from a need to avoid conflicts with scheduled spacewalks and to allow for a thorough review of mission data. NASA’s Commercial Crew Program manager, Steve Stich, emphasized the importance of taking time to manage the small helium system leaks and thruster performance issues observed during the Starliner’s journey and docking.
The Starliner’s mission has been plagued by several technical problems, including:
- Thruster Issues: During its flight, five of the Starliner’s thrusters failed.
- Helium Leaks: The spacecraft experienced five helium leaks, both before and during its journey to the ISS.
Despite these issues, NASA officials have stated that the Starliner is performing well while docked at the ISS and that they are using this extra time to ensure the spacecraft’s systems are fully ready for the crew’s return.
The Starliner, carrying NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, launched on June 5 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida and arrived at the ISS on June 6. The mission has faced multiple delays:
- Original Launch Date: Scheduled for May 6, but postponed due to a valve issue.
- Initial Return Date: June 14, then pushed to June 18, June 22, and June 26.
The latest delay means the spacecraft’s return is now indefinitely postponed, with no specific date set in July for its departure.
Upcoming spacewalks are planned for June 24 and July 2, which influenced the decision to delay the Starliner’s departure. NASA has assured that the ISS has sufficient supplies to support Wilmore and Williams for an extended stay if necessary.
The Starliner vehicle is designed for a maximum stay of 45 days attached to the ISS, which sets a critical date around July 21. NASA has stated that the Starliner can undock and return to Earth with the astronauts in case of an emergency.
NASA and Boeing will conduct an agency-level review to document formal acceptance before proceeding with the Starliner’s return, drawing a parallel to the review done ahead of SpaceX’s Crew Dragon Demo-2 mission’s return in 2020.
Steve Stich, NASA’s Commercial Crew Program manager, highlighted the importance of using the extra time strategically for critical station activities and ensuring readiness for the astronauts’ return. He also mentioned gaining valuable insights into system upgrades needed for future missions.
While the delays have caused some frustration, both NASA and Boeing are committed to ensuring the safety and success of the Starliner mission. The additional time will allow for thorough analysis and resolution of the technical issues, paving the way for future operational crew rotation flights to the ISS.
The Starliner mission, though challenging, continues to provide essential learning opportunities that will enhance future space missions’ reliability and safety.