NASA has announced that the return of the Starliner spacecraft to Earth has been delayed indefinitely due to propulsion data review. The spacecraft, developed by Boeing, was originally set to return on June 26 but has faced several delays as engineers analyze data from its flight to the International Space Station.
Meetings involving high-level participation from NASA leaders have been held to address issues with the spacecraft, including leaks in the propulsion system and thruster failures. These issues have led to the decision to delay the return of the spacecraft until a later unspecified date in July.
NASA’s Commercial Crew Program manager, Steve Stich, emphasized the importance of letting data guide decision-making in managing the helium system leaks and thruster performance issues observed during the spacecraft’s mission. While a return date of June 30 was considered, NASA is also planning spacewalks outside the space station, which will impact the return timeline.
The extended stay of the Starliner spacecraft at the space station allows for more data to be gathered on its performance for future long-duration missions. However, concerns remain about the need to delay the return due to unresolved issues with the spacecraft’s performance during the return journey.
NASA and Boeing are working to ensure that all contingencies are addressed before the spacecraft can safely return to Earth. Despite assurances that the spacecraft is cleared for emergency return, further analysis is needed to ensure a successful return under normal circumstances. The delays in the return of the Starliner highlight the complexities and challenges of human spaceflight missions.
