Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
Officials from NASA and Boeing will hold a media teleconference at 9 PM on Thursday, July 25. The session will provide the latest status on the Boeing Crew Flight Test mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
The teleconference will include updates on the return of NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Indian-origin Sunita Williams, who have been in space longer than scheduled due to issues with their spacecraft.
Recently, NASA and Boeing completed ground hot fire testing of the Starliner reaction control system thruster at White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico. These tests simulated various flight conditions to ensure the spacecraft’s safe return.
The ground tests involved firing the engine through conditions similar to those during the spacecraft’s approach to the ISS and potential stress scenarios during undocking and deorbit burn. The data from these tests are currently being analysed.
Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner capsule on June 5. They were expected to return by June 14, but their spacecraft experienced propulsion system issues, including helium leaks and thruster failures.
NASA’s commercial crew program director Steve Stich mentioned that the earliest possible return for the astronauts might be by the end of July. No exact date has been provided yet.
Boeing’s Mark Nappi stated that in an emergency, Starliner and its crew could return immediately. However, ongoing tests aim to confirm the thrusters’ integrity and ensure a safe return.
While docked at the ISS, the Starliner crew has been engaged in various research projects and experiments. These efforts also include understanding the issues encountered during their journey on the Starliner capsule.
Boeing announced that the spacecraft and its crew have accomplished 77 flight test objectives for certification. The remaining objectives will be completed from undocking to landing, further ensuring the spacecraft’s readiness for future missions.