NASA and Boeing officials have addressed recent reports suggesting that the two astronauts aboard the Starliner spacecraft are stranded on the International Space Station (ISS). During a press conference, they clarified that the astronauts have chosen to stay on board for a few more weeks to allow for further testing before their return to Earth. Steve Stich, NASA’s commercial crew program manager, emphasized that the ISS is a safe place for the astronauts to remain while they ensure the spacecraft is ready for reentry.
In the meantime, engineers from Boeing and NASA will conduct remote tests on the spacecraft’s thrusters at New Mexico’s White Sands Test Facility. The thrusters play a crucial role in the docking and undocking procedures. Although five thrusters malfunctioned during the docking process, four were brought back online, allowing docking to proceed. These tests will take a couple of weeks to complete, during which time the astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams will remain on the ISS.
Despite experiencing small helium leaks since its launch on June 5, these leaks do not pose a concern for the return journey. The leaks occur in a closed-off part of the spacecraft while it is docked to the ISS. Additionally, the spacecraft has an excess of helium required for undocking and the deorbit burn.
The landing plan for the Starliner mission will be determined once the thruster testing is complete. The mission was initially expected to last just a week, but due to battery limitations, it was limited to 45 days. However, the batteries are being recharged by the space station, potentially allowing for an extension of the mission’s maximum length.
Although the root cause of the issues with the Starliner is still unknown, both NASA and Boeing officials assure that it is safe for astronauts to return in case of an emergency. Earlier this week, there was a potential threat when a defunct Russian Earth observation satellite broke up on orbit. NASA instructed the crew to take precautionary measures by sheltering in their respective spacecraft. While there was no risk of debris colliding with the ISS, the astronauts would have used their spacecraft to return to Earth if necessary.
Overall, NASA and Boeing are taking the necessary time to ensure the Starliner spacecraft is thoroughly tested and ready for the astronauts’ return journey. The safety of the astronauts remains a top priority, and the mission will continue once all necessary tests are complete.