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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

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Edited By: tccjeremy

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

Key Takeaways:

Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams will extend their stay on the International Space Station (ISS) to allow for extensive ground testing of Boeing's Starliner spacecraft.
The delay is due to engineers needing to investigate and recreate issues observed during Starliner's inaugural crewed flight, specifically multiple helium leaks and some thrusters not firing at full strength.
NASA and Boeing confirm Starliner is safe for the astronauts' return despite the issues, and the crew recently tested it as a "safe haven" during a debris event.
This extended testing period may lead to delays for Starliner's first service mission, with SpaceX's Crew Dragon potentially taking its place.

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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.