Boeing’s first crewed Starliner mission, which successfully ferried astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to the International Space Station (ISS), has hit a slight delay. Originally scheduled to return its crew to Earth after about a week, the mission now faces an extended stay. Let’s dive into the details.
On June 5, the Crew Flight Test (CFT) for Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft launched with NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams aboard. The spacecraft successfully docked at the ISS the following day, marking a significant milestone. The primary objective of this mission was to conduct a full on-orbit shakedown of the spacecraft, ensuring its readiness for future missions.
However, due to ongoing evaluations and the need to better understand Starliner’s capabilities, the return date has been pushed back. Instead of returning on June 18 as initially planned, Wilmore and Williams will now remain aboard the ISS until June 22, at the earliest.
Steve Stich, manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, emphasized the importance of this extended stay. Stich stated in a mission blog post, “We are continuing to understand the capabilities of Starliner to prepare for the long-term goal of having it perform a six-month docked mission at the space station”.
During this additional time, the CFT crew members will perform various checks and drills. These include a “hot-fire” test of seven of the spacecraft’s eight aft thrusters and a review of hatch operations. Additionally, they will practice emergency procedures, ensuring they are well-prepared in case of any unforeseen events.
Mark Nappi, vice president and program manager for Boeing’s Commercial Crew Program, expressed optimism about the extended stay. Nappi said, “We have an incredible opportunity to spend more time at the station and perform more tests, which provides invaluable data unique to our position”.
This isn’t the first delay for Starliner’s return. Initially, it was pushed back to June 18 due to ISS residents requiring more time to prepare for an extravehicular activity (EVA). Unfortunately, that EVA was later canceled due to “spacesuit discomfort.” Now, Wilmore and Williams will spend an additional four days aboard the ISS, extending their total stay to just over two weeks.
NASA has not provided a specific reason for this most recent delay, but a press briefing is scheduled for June 18 to clarify the new departure date and review weather conditions for the June 22 landing target.
In summary, while the delay may be frustrating for the astronauts, it allows for thorough testing and data collection, ultimately contributing to the success of future crewed missions aboard Starliner. Stay tuned for further updates as the mission unfolds!
