NASA and Boeing have announced a delay in the return of the Starliner spacecraft and its first astronaut crew from the International Space Station (ISS) to as late as June 18. This postponement comes as mission analysts address issues that could affect the spacecraft’s return.
Initially, Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner was set to undock from the ISS on Friday and return to Earth after launching its inaugural crew of two NASA astronauts from Florida on June 5. This mission serves as a pivotal test before NASA can certify Starliner for routine flights.
NASA officials in Houston are managing various factors in scheduling Starliner’s return, including fixes to faulty components, weather conditions, and ISS scheduling for activities like spacewalks by other astronauts onboard the station. Further adjustments to the return date may be forthcoming during the mission.
As of now, mission officials are targeting June 18 for Starliner’s undocking from the ISS. Approximately six hours after undocking, the spacecraft is expected to land in the desert of White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, Willcox Playa in Arizona, or similar predetermined locations, depending on weather conditions.
During a briefing on Tuesday, NASA’s deputy program manager for the ISS, Dina Contella, revealed a new issue detected on Starliner while docked to the station – a “sticky” oxidizer valve.
Additionally, a NASA blog mentioned an additional helium leak in Starliner’s propulsion system, in addition to four others identified during its journey to the space station last week. Despite facing challenges during flight, NASA and Boeing were able to regain control of four of the five dead maneuvering thrusters before docking with the orbital laboratory.
Starliner has a maximum docking duration of 45 days, according to NASA officials.
