Stuck Boeing Starliner Completes Thruster Testing on Orbit

The Boeing spacecraft was supposed to remain at the International Space Station for eight days but has seen its stay extended to nearly two months.

Jack Daleo

Tuesday, July 30, 2024 at 03:32 PM ET

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Edited By: tccjeremy

Boeing’s Starliner over the weekend completed what could be a critical hot fire test. [Courtesy: NASA]

Key Takeaways:

Boeing's Starliner spacecraft has experienced a nearly two-month delay at the International Space Station, extending its stay from eight days, due to issues with its Reaction Control System (RCS) thrusters and helium leaks during its crewed flight test.
A recent on-orbit "hot fire test" successfully demonstrated that 27 of the spacecraft's 28 RCS thrusters are now firing at preflight levels (97-102% thrust).
Engineers also confirmed stable helium leak rates and sufficient fuel for the return trip, clearing the way for a flight test readiness review this week to determine a return date for astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams.

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A Boeing spacecraft responsible for returning two NASA astronauts to Earth has contended with an array of issues that have extended its stay on the International Space Station from eight days to nearly two months. Over the weekend, though, engineers conducted a test that could be critical in bringing home NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams.

Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner—a semireusable spacecraft under a multibillion-dollar contract with NASA for Commercial Crew rotation missions to the ISS—underwent a hot fire test on Saturday intended to evaluate the capsule’s reaction control system (RCS) thrusters. The vessel is in the midst of its crewed flight test (CFT), which is intended to be its final mission before NASA certifies it for service.