How Boeing’s Starliner Could Bring Astronauts Back to Earth

NASA has rescheduled the planned return three times and now has no set date for it. (File)

Washington:

Problems with Boeing’s Starliner capsule, still docked at the International Space Station (ISS), have altered original plans for the return of its two astronauts to Earth, as last-minute fixes and tests shape a crucial mission for the future of space from Boeing. division.

NASA has rescheduled the planned return three times and now has no set date for it. Since its liftoff on June 5, the capsule has had five helium leaks, five maneuvering thrusters have stopped and a thrust valve has failed to close completely, leading the crew in space and mission managers in Houston to spend more time than expected. expected seeking solutions in the middle of the mission.

Here’s an explanation of the possible paths forward for Starliner and its veteran NASA astronauts, Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams.

THE CURRENT SITUATION

Starliner could be docked at the ISS for up to 45 days, according to comments from NASA Commercial Crew Manager Steve Stich to reporters. But if absolutely necessary, such as if more problems arise that mission officials cannot resolve in time, it could be docked for up to 72 days, relying on multiple backup systems, according to a person familiar with flight planning.

Internally at NASA, the Starliner’s latest expected return date is July 6, according to this source, who spoke on condition of anonymity. That return date would mean that the mission, originally planned for eight days, would last a month.

Starliner’s expendable propulsion system is part of the ship’s “service module.” The current problems center on this system, which is needed to move the capsule away from the ISS and position it to dive into Earth’s atmosphere. Many of the Starliner’s thrusters overheated when fired, and leaks of helium — used to pressurize the thrusters — appear to be related to how often they are used, according to Stich.

Stich said recent tests firing the thrusters while the Starliner remains docked gave mission teams confidence in a safe return, although tests and reviews are ongoing. The mission management team, made up of personnel from NASA and Boeing, is examining data on propulsion problems, running simulations in Houston and considering how to fix them, such as updating software or changing the way hardware is used.

Once NASA officials give the team the green light to return, Starliner’s thrusters would be used to undock the capsule from the ISS and begin a roughly six-hour journey home, gradually narrowing its orbit before plunging into the ISS’ atmosphere. Earth for a landing, assisted by parachutes and airbags, at one of several potential locations in the southwestern United States.

This is Starliner’s first mission into orbit carrying astronauts – the final test needed before NASA can certify it as the US space agency’s second trip to the ISS. It would join SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, which has dominated government and nascent private markets for human spaceflight amid Starliner’s years-long delays.

IF THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENS

Even with the propulsion system problems, NASA said Starliner would still be able to return astronauts to Earth if absolutely necessary — that is, if the capsule serves as an escape pod from the ISS in an emergency or if any of the Starliner’s perishable items – like its solar panels – show signs of expiring sooner than planned.

Unlike the current Starliner mission, NASA has not set a scheduled return date for the first Crew Dragon mission carrying astronauts in 2020. That mission lasted 62 days because astronauts needed to help maintain the ISS because the space station was short on space. employees at the time. .

IF STARLINER CANNOT BE USED

If Starliner is deemed unable to return Wilmore and Williams to Earth safely, one option would be to send them home aboard the Crew Dragon, which transported four astronauts to the station in March and is capable of accommodating more people in an emergency. .

This scenario, considered unlikely, would undoubtedly be embarrassing for Boeing. But NASA and Boeing officials, as well as engineers familiar with the program, told Reuters that nothing about the Starliner’s current problems indicates that this would be necessary.

In this scenario, Starliner’s fate would depend on several factors, including the extent of its technical problems.

The last time a NASA astronaut needed an alternative ride home was in 2022, when Russia’s Soyuz capsule had a coolant leak after delivering two cosmonauts and American astronaut Frank Rubio to the station.

NASA considered the Crew Dragon as an alternative for Rubio to return home, but he ended up using an empty Soyuz capsule that Russia launched as a rescue craft. Rubio’s mission was extended from six months to just over a year – 371 days – a record length for an American in space.

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