NASA and Boeing plan to spend the next few weeks conducting ground tests to better understand problems with the Starliner spacecraft's thrusters before giving its crew the go-ahead to fly back to Earth. But officials insisted on a On Friday afternoon, astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams were not “stranded” on the International Space Station. “We are in no hurry to get home,” said Steve Stich, director of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.
Starliner has been docked to the ISS since June 6 for what was to be a 10-day flight test in total. However, during its approach to the orbital laboratory, the spacecraft experienced problems with five of its thrusters and a known helium leak appeared to worsen. NASA and Boeing have been working together to evaluate the problems since then. On Friday, representatives for both said they had not yet set a date for the return flight and would instead wait until ground testing had been completed and all analyzes had been performed. The first booster tests, which will take place at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, are expected to begin Tuesday.
It was initially stated that Starliner could only remain docked at the ISS for up to 45 days due to limitations of its batteries, but Stich said during the conference that these batteries are being recharged by the space station, so this may be extended. “I want to make it very clear that Butch and Suni are not stranded in space,” Stich said. “Our plan is to continue returning them on Starliner and return them home at the appropriate time.”
Starliner is performing well while docked and the ship could still be used as a lifeboat to bring astronauts home if necessary in the event of an emergency, officials said. Mark Nappi, vice president and head of Boeing's commercial crew program, reiterated Stich's comments, saying, “We are not trapped on the ISS, the crew is in no danger, and there is no greater risk when we decide to bring Suni and Butch.” return to earth.”
