KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLORIDA – Boeing’s Starliner capsule’s first astronaut mission has faced a series of extensions. The spacecraft will now remain docked with the International Space Station (ISS) until at least July 2, a week later than the initial target date of June 26. This extension allows Boeing and NASA more time to address issues that have surfaced with the vehicle.
According to Steve Stich, manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, the decision-making process is driven by data. The team is working to manage small helium system leaks and thruster performance observed during rendezvous and docking. The current mission, known as Crew Flight Test (CFT), sent NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to the ISS. Despite some challenges during the chase down of the ISS, where five of the 28 reaction control system thrusters experienced problems, most were eventually brought back online.
Furthermore, the team has identified five small helium leaks in Starliner’s propulsion system, with four appearing after the capsule deployed from its rocket. Originally scheduled for a week at the ISS, the departure of Starliner had already been postponed several times. The most recent adjustment shifted the planned departure date to no earlier than June 26 to allow for a more detailed assessment of the helium leaks and RCS thruster issues.
NASA officials plan to conduct another spacewalk on July 2 before Starliner returns home. Despite the repeated extensions, Stich stressed that Starliner is performing well in orbit while docked to the space station. The team is using the extra time strategically to prepare for the astronauts’ return on Starliner and to gather valuable insights for future missions.
Once certified, Starliner will be cleared to fly six-month astronaut missions to the ISS for NASA, joining SpaceX in this endeavor. SpaceX currently conducts these flights with its Crew Dragon capsule and is in the midst of its eighth contracted long-duration crewed mission. NASA officials mentioned that the crew is not rushed to leave the station as there are enough supplies in orbit, and the station’s schedule is relatively open through mid-August.