The return to Earth of the Boeing Starliner from the International Space Station (ISS), scheduled for June 26, has been postponed again, NASA announced Friday evening.
This new postponement will allow more time to examine the propellant malfunctions and the helium leaks which had already caused a first delay, NASA added.
Starliner’s first crewed mission to the ISS, which was initially scheduled to last about eight days, has been extended to an as-yet-undetermined date.
The stay on the ISS of the two astronauts transported by Starliner was extended due to propellant problems and helium leaks.
The ship took off from Florida on June 5, years late and several last-minute postponements.
“NASA and Boeing Executives Adjust Starliner Crew Flight Test Spacecraft Return to Earth”NASA said in a post published late Friday evening.
The postponement of the departure scheduled for “Wednesday June 26 ends the undocking and landing of the Starliner (…) while giving (the) mission teams time to examine the propulsion system data”he indicated.
“We take our time and follow the standard process of our team that manages the mission”said NASA official Steve Stich.
“We let the data guide our decision-making regarding the management of small leaks from the helium system and the performance of the thrusters that we observed during rendezvous and docking”did he declare.
Mr. Stitch added that Starliner, crewed by two astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, “works well in orbit when docked to the space station”.
NASA said the crew was in no rush to leave the station because it is well stocked and “the station’s program is relatively open until mid-August”.
The initial docking with the ISS was delayed by more than an hour after problems starting some of the Starliner’s thrusters used for advanced maneuvers.
A helium leak affected the Starliner before its launch. Although incombustible, helium puts pressure on the propulsion system. However, other leaks appeared during the flight.
