Starliner’s Early Issues
Even before Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft went into orbit, there were many issues with the overall craft. The rocket launch that sent astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore was delayed various times, thanks to valve issues and helium leaks.
Source: NASA Kennedy Space Center/Wikimedia Commons
In early June, Williams and Wilmore finally were able to launch into space — even though Boeing and NASA engineers knew there was a helium leak onboard.
A Small Helium Leak Turns Into Something Else
According to engineers at the time, this small helium leak wasn’t that big of a deal — though they did delay one launch attempt because of it.
Source: NASA Kennedy Space Center/Wikimedia Commons
They assured the public that even if this leak was bigger than they thought, it still wouldn’t bring any danger to Williams and Wilmore. However, once the Starliner capsule went into orbit with the two astronauts inside, it was revealed that this small helium leak was going to be an issue.
Multiple Helium Leaks
When the Starliner went into orbit in space, it was discovered that there were four more helium leaks that had been detected.
Source: NASA Johnson Space Center/Wikimedia Commons
Clearly, this became an issue. However, astronauts Williams and Wilmore were able to safely dock at the ISS on June 6 — though not without some complications.
Malfunctioning Thrusters
When the Starliner capsule was trying to dock at the ISS, five of its thrusters ended up malfunctioning during this critical moment.
Source: NASA Johnson Space Center/Wikimedia Commons
This led to the vehicle being backed up from the docking station, as the thrusters had to be refired so that they come back online.
Analyzing These Problems
Now, NASA and Boeing are taking the time to really look at these many problems. They’re analyzing the additional helium leaks and trying to fix them, if they can.
Source: U.S. Space Force/Wikimedia Commons
They’re also working to find out why five thrusters shut off. So far, four of these five thrusters have successfully come back online.
Delay After Delay
As they look at these Starliner problems, NASA has chosen to delay Williams and Wilmore’s return to Earth consistently.
Source: NASA Kennedy Space Center/Wikimedia Commons
At first, both astronauts were only supposed to stay up in the ISS for about a week after docking, likely returning around June 18. That was quickly pushed back to June 22, then June 26.
An Indefinite Delay
Now, NASA has delayed this return to Earth yet again — and hasn’t publicly revealed when these astronauts may finally come home.
Source: NASA Kennedy Space Center/Wikimedia Commons
As a result, Williams and Wilmore will remain on the ISS alongside other astronauts, working on tasks and on the Starliner as their journey home is repeatedly pushed off.
NASA’s Statement
NASA has explained that problems such as these are common, and they’re simply working to ensure Starliner is in the best shape possible before Williams and Wilmore get back inside it.
Source: NASA Kennedy Space Center/Wikimedia Commons
Steve Stich, the manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, stated, “We are taking our time and following our standard mission management team process. We are letting the data drive our decision making relative to managing the small helium system leaks and thruster performance we observed during rendezvous and docking.”
Starliner’s Days Are Counting Down
While NASA has explained that Williams and Wilmore are happy to spend more time in space — as both of them haven’t been back in many years — critics have pointed out that the astronauts only have a small window to return to Earth.
Source: NASA/Wikimedia Commons
Starliner can remain docked at the ISS for 45 days, thanks to limited fuel supplies. Therefore, the days for the astronauts to return home are dwindling down.
Boeing’s Trial Run
Starliner’s launch into orbit and docking at the ISS is all a part of Boeing’s trial run with NASA. Through this test, Boeing is attempting to show NASA that it can safely ferry its astronauts to the ISS and back.
Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
SpaceX has been ferrying astronauts since 2020. Boeing hopes to do the same, though these persistent problems do put the company in a difficult position.
When the Astronauts May Return
Though NASA has yet to officially announce when Williams and Wilmore will once again step foot on Earth, they have hinted that it could happen after a planned spacewalk at the ISS on July 2.
Source: NASA Johnson Space Center/Wikimedia Commons
NASA and Boeing will likely reveal this intended date sometime in the near future — if they figure out the Starliner’s problems before then.