The NASA and Boeing leaders They are carefully coordinating the return to Earth of the Starliner manned flight test spacecraft, which carries the agency’s astronauts. Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams from the International Space Station (ISS).
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According to the entity, The crew is in no hurry to leave the station, as there are plenty of supplies in orbit and the station’s schedule is relatively open until mid-August.
At a press conference last June 18, NASA and Boeing discussed ongoing efforts. Steve Stich, Commercial Crew Program Manager NASA’s Michael S. Keller said: “We are taking our time and following our standard mission management team process.”
Boeing’s Starliner lifts off from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Station.
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The initial liftoff on Wednesday, June 26, has been intertwined with a series of planned spacewalks on the ISS, providing additional time for mission teams to review propulsion system data.
Likewise, Stich stated: “We are letting the data guide our decision-making regarding management of the small leaks in the helium system and the propellant performance we observed during rendezvous and docking.”
He also noted that a agency level review, similar to the one conducted prior to the return of SpaceX Demo-2, to document the agency’s formal acceptance to proceed as planned.
What will happen to the ship?
Astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore with engineers Mike Barratt and Tracy C. Dyson.
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Spaceship Boeing’s Starliner still cleared to return in case of emergency on the space station that requires the crew to leave orbit and return to Earth.
On the other hand, mission managers are evaluating future return opportunities after the two spacewalks planned for the Monday, June 24 and Tuesday, July 2.
Starliner will reportedly operate properly in orbit as long as it is docked to the space station.
“We are strategically using the extra time to clear the way for some critical activities at the station as we complete preparation for the return of Butch and Suni on Starliner and gain valuable insight into system upgrades we will want to make for post-certification missions.”
Wilmore and Williams remain attached to the Expedition 71 crew, assisting with station operations as needed and completing supplemental in-flight objectives toward NASA certification of Starliner.
“The Crew comments have been overwhelmingly positives and they know that every learning we gain from crew flight test will improve and sharpen our experience for future crews,” said Mark Nappi, Boeing vice president and program manager for Starliner.
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