Boeing’s Starliner mission continues to face delays as astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore are now set to return to Earth from the International Space Station no earlier than June 25, according to Boeing. The astronauts were originally scheduled to spend just a week at the space station but have been there since docking the Starliner on June 6.
During their extended stay, the astronauts have been busy testing spacecraft systems and conducting tasks aboard the orbiting laboratory. Mission teams supporting NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test are closely reviewing Starliner’s data from completed test objectives.
The primary undocking opportunity is now targeted for “no earlier than 10:10 p.m. EDT” on June 25, with a tentative landing around 4:51 a.m. on June 26 at the White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico. Prior to this latest update, the Starliner was expected to return by June 22, which was pushed back from the initial target of June 18.
The decision to extend the crew’s stay is aimed at better preparing the Starliner for a potential six-month docked mission at the space station. Steve Stich, manager of NASA’s commercial crew program, highlighted the importance of this additional time for testing and preparation.
Boeing’s vice president and program manager, Mark Nappi, emphasized the value of the extended stay in gathering unique data and maximizing the learning opportunity for all partners involved in the mission.
The Starliner faced challenges during its launch, including helium leaks in the propulsion system and a malfunctioning valve on the rocket. Stich addressed these issues during a recent media teleconference, noting that five leaks have been identified in the propulsion system since the spacecraft’s arrival at the space station.
Efforts are underway to investigate and address the helium system concerns, as well as the faulty valve that did not come back online during thruster tests. The decision not to utilize the defective valve during the return flight was made as a precautionary measure to ensure crew safety.
Following undocking and deorbiting, the Starliner will descend under parachutes for a landing in the desert grounds of White Sands. Airbags attached to the spacecraft will help cushion the landing, marking the first time an American capsule with astronauts aboard will touch down on land.
Specialists from NASA and Boeing will be on hand to retrieve the crew once they have successfully landed at White Sands. Despite the delays and challenges faced during the mission, both teams remain focused on ensuring a safe and successful return for the Starliner astronauts.
