Boeing’s Starliner crewed flight, named “Calypso,” has faced significant delays, leading to an extended stay at the International Space Station (ISS). Originally planned for a nine-day mission, the Starliner capsule has now been in space for 24 days and counting. Despite the prolonged stay, NASA and Boeing have assured that the spacecraft is safe to return to Earth at any point in case of an emergency.
NASA and Boeing have announced that they are further extending the crewed flight test but have not set a new target date for the return of the Starliner capsule. The organizations are conducting new testing on the ground at White Sands, New Mexico, to gather more data about the spacecraft’s performance, particularly its thruster system. This testing is crucial before Starliner can safely return to Earth.
Challenges and Setbacks
The Starliner crewed flight test represents a crucial step before NASA certifies Boeing for operational missions. However, similar to previous uncrewed missions, Starliner has faced several challenges and setbacks during the current mission. Once touted as a competitor to SpaceX’s Dragon, Starliner has now slipped into a backup position for NASA due to various setbacks and delays.
Starliner teams are particularly focused on addressing thruster issues that occurred during the spacecraft’s approach to the ISS. Ground testing at White Sands will allow for a detailed inspection of the thruster performance under simulated in-flight conditions. The goal is to ensure that there are no irregularities or anomalies in the thruster system before planning for the spacecraft’s return to Earth.
Despite the challenges and delays, both NASA and Boeing have expressed confidence in the safety of the Calypso spacecraft. Officials have emphasized that the decision to delay the return to Earth is a precautionary measure to gather more data during an experimental mission, rather than a response to a critical issue. The spacecraft is designed to support missions lasting up to 210 days, indicating its capability to handle extended periods in space.
Boeing’s Starliner crewed flight test has faced significant challenges, resulting in an extended stay at the ISS and the need for new ground testing to address thruster issues. Despite setbacks, NASA and Boeing remain confident in the safety and reliability of the spacecraft. The delays may impact the timeline for certifying Boeing for operational missions, but both organizations are committed to ensuring the success of the Starliner program.