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NASA and Boeing plan to conduct tests on the ground over the next few weeks to better understand the problem with the Starliner spacecraft’s thrusters before giving the crew the go-ahead to return to Earth. Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are not “stranded” aboard the International Space Station, and Steve Stich, NASA’s Commercial Crew Program manager, said Friday afternoon that “we’re in no rush to return.”
Starliner has been docked with the ISS since June 6 and was scheduled to conduct a total of 10 days of flight tests. However, during the approach to the orbital laboratory, five of the craft’s thrusters experienced problems, apparently exacerbating a known helium leak. NASA and Boeing have been working together since then to evaluate the problem. On Friday, representatives of both companies said that the return flight has not yet been scheduled, pending completion of ground tests and full analysis. The first thruster tests, to be carried out at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, are expected to begin as early as Tuesday.
It was initially announced that Starliner would only be able to dock at the ISS for a maximum of 45 days due to battery limitations, but during the meeting, Stich said that this could be extended as the batteries are recharged on the space station. “I want to be very clear that Butch and Suni are not stranded in space,” Stich said. “Our plan is to bring them back on Starliner and have them return at the appropriate time.”
Officials said the Starliner was functioning well while docked and could be used as a lifeboat to bring astronauts home if necessary in an emergency. Mark Nappi, vice president and program manager for Boeing’s Commercial Crew Program, echoed Stich’s comments, saying, “We are not confined to the ISS, the crew is not at risk, and there is no increased risk if we decide to return Suni and Butch to Earth.”