Boeing Starliner, Crew Will Return to Earth No Earlier Than June 26

Helium leaks, failing thrusters, and a faulty valve component are extending NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams’ stay on the International Space Station.

Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at 05:00 PM ET

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Boeing’s Starliner docks with the International Space Station’s Harmony module during an uncrewed flight test in 2022. [Courtesy: NASA]

Key Takeaways:

Boeing's Starliner crew flight test, carrying NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, has had its return from the ISS delayed to "no earlier than June 26" to allow for further data collection and assessment of spacecraft issues.
The Starliner capsule is contending with multiple technical problems, including five helium leaks, five non-firing aft reaction control system (RCS) thrusters during rendezvous, and a faulty oxidizer isolation valve.
NASA and Boeing are using the extended mission to thoroughly investigate these issues and gather data, which will inform any necessary modifications before the Starliner can be certified for future operational missions.

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Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner and the crew of the capsule’s inaugural crew flight test (CFT), NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, will return to Earth from the International Space Station (ISS) no earlier than June 26, Starliner teams said during a news conference Tuesday.

Wilmore and Williams began their sojourn to the ISS on June 5 with plans for an eight-day stay but will now spend a minimum of three weeks aboard the orbital laboratory.

Jack Daleo

Jack is a staff writer covering advanced air mobility, including everything from drones to unmanned aircraft systems to space travel—and a whole lot more. He spent close to two years reporting on drone delivery for FreightWaves, covering the biggest news and developments in the space and connecting with industry executives and experts. Jack is also a basketball aficionado, a frequent traveler and a lover of all things logistics.