NASA and Boeing Extend Starliner Mission with Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore

NASA and Boeing are considering extending the Starliner spacecraft mission from 45 to 90 days due to issues with helium leaks and thruster outages. Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are aboard the International Space Station, conducting routine tasks while engineers work to resolve the spacecraft’s problems. The mission’s return date remains uncertain as ground tests continue in New Mexico to understand the thruster malfunctions.

Mission Challenges

The Starliner faced several issues, including helium leaks and thruster outages, during its journey to the International Space Station. NASA’s Commercial Crew Program manager, Steve Stich, mentioned that the mission’s duration might be extended to 90 days to allow more time for ground tests and data review.

Ground Tests in New Mexico

Engineers are conducting ground tests in New Mexico to determine the cause of the thruster malfunctions. Mark Nappi, vice president and program manager of the Commercial Crew Program for Boeing, stated that these tests are crucial for understanding the issues and ensuring the spacecraft’s safety.

Current Activities on the ISS

While the Starliner remains docked at the International Space Station, astronauts Williams and Wilmore have integrated with the rest of the crew and are performing routine tasks. The crew is also preparing for a spacewalk scheduled for the end of July.

Space Botany and Medical Exams

Williams and Wilmore have been working on space botany experiments, while other crew members have been conducting medical exams and preparing the Cygnus space freighter for disposal.

Future Plans

NASA and Boeing are closely monitoring the Starliner’s propulsion system performance and will decide on the mission’s return date based on the results of the ongoing tests. The spacewalk planned for the end of July will allow teams to address a water leak issue in the service and cooling umbilical unit.