WASHINGTON, June 11 (Reuters) – NASA and Boeing plan to bring Starliner and its first astronaut crew back on June 18. The delay stems from mission analysts assessing potential return issues. Despite the setback, preparations continue for a safe return.
Originally set for Friday undocking, Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner will now return after launching on June 5. This mission is pivotal for NASA’s certification of routine Starliner flights.
In scheduling Starliner’s return, NASA officials in Houston are juggling various factors: fixes to faulty components on Starliner, weather conditions, and ISS scheduling matters such as spacewalks by other astronauts aboard the station. More changes to Starliner’s return date could be announced during its mission.
But as of Tuesday, mission officials were targeting June 18 for Starliner’s undocking from the station. Roughly six hours later the spacecraft would land in the desert of White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, Willcox Playa in Arizona or other similar pre-determined locations, pending weather conditions.
Dina Contella, NASA’s deputy program manager for the ISS, told reporters on Tuesday that NASA had detected a new issue on Starliner while it remained docked to the station – a “sticky” oxidizer valve.
A NASA blog posted on Monday mentioned an additional helium leak on Starliner’s propulsion system, on top of four already identified during its 24-hour trek to the space station last week.
The decision to push back Starliner crewed return reflects the commitment to safety.
Despite the setback, anticipation remains high for Starliner’s crewed return on June 18. NASA and Boeing continue to work closely to ensure a smooth and successful mission.
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