Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft has achieved a significant milestone in its journey towards being certified for regular crewed missions. The spacecraft successfully docked at the International Space Station (ISS), delivering two astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. This is the first time any human has used a Boeing Starliner capsule to visit the ISS.
Boeing and NASA are currently conducting a 10-day test mission of the Starliner spacecraft. During this mission, the astronauts will spend eight days on the ISS before returning home in the Starliner capsule. The landing will be assisted by parachutes and is expected to take place somewhere in the southwestern United States.
Although the mission was successful, it was not without its challenges. The Starliner experienced three helium leaks, one of which was identified before the spacecraft even left Earth. However, Boeing assures that these leaks do not pose a safety risk to the crew or the vehicle. Additionally, five out of the 28 maneuvering thrusters on the spacecraft’s propulsion system failed. Fortunately, after conducting hot-fire tests, four of the thrusters were brought back online. These thrusters play a crucial role in making precise adjustments to the capsule’s trajectory as it approaches the ISS.
Due to the thruster problem, the astronauts had to pause the docking process when Starliner was less than 1,000 feet from the ISS. However, they were able to troubleshoot the issue and resume docking a few hours later.
The successful launch of Starliner marks a significant achievement for Boeing as it aims to become a provider of crewed missions alongside SpaceX. Currently, SpaceX is the only provider for astronaut transportation missions with NASA, utilizing its Crew Dragon capsule.
This milestone for Boeing brings us one step closer to a future where multiple private companies are involved in space exploration and transportation. It is an exciting time for the aerospace industry as competition and innovation drive advancements in space travel. With more players in the field, we can expect to see further progress in human space exploration and the potential for more frequent crewed missions to the ISS and beyond.
