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Starliner Astronauts Prepare for Extended ISS Stay

NASA and Boeing representatives on Friday said the crew will not return until additional testing, which may take weeks, is complete.

Jack Daleo

Friday, June 28, 2024 at 04:46 PM ET

Verified

Edited By: tccjeremy

Boeing’s Starliner space capsule has been docked to the International Space Station since June 6. [Courtesy: NASA]

Key Takeaways:

Astronauts Wilmore and Williams will remain on the ISS for several more weeks aboard Boeing's Starliner to allow for extensive ground testing of issues like helium leaks and faulty thrusters observed during its initial crewed flight.
NASA and Boeing confirm the Starliner is safe for return, emphasizing that the crew is not stranded, and the spacecraft's battery life has been extended to manage the prolonged stay.
The delay in fully certifying Starliner means its first operational service mission, scheduled for early next year, might be taken over by SpaceX's Crew Dragon.

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Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams—the two-person crew of NASA and Boeing’s Starliner crew flight test (CFT)—will remain on the International Space Station (ISS) for at least a few more weeks.

During a media briefing on Friday, NASA and Boeing representatives said the astronauts’ return to Earth will come after ground testing at the White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico is complete. Teams are working to re-create some of the issues experienced by the reusable spacecraft during its inaugural crewed flight to 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.