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Boeing’s Starliner Overcomes Glitches to Dock at ISS
When NASA astronauts attempted to dock Boeing’s first crewed Starliner spacecraft at the International Space Station on Thursday (June 6), they encountered some unexpected challenges. Five aft thrusters on the Starliner service module were not functioning properly, in addition to new helium leaks and higher-than-expected water usage in the cooling system. Despite these issues, NASA and Boeing remain optimistic.
Test Flight Success
The mission, known as Boeing’s Crew Flight Test, is a critical test flight where NASA astronauts are flying on a brand-new spacecraft for the first time. For Boeing, the successful docking with the ISS marked a significant milestone, following a failed uncrewed test flight in 2019. The glitches, though concerning, were quickly addressed.
After some manual flying by NASA astronauts, four of the five malfunctioning thrusters were recovered, with the fifth remaining deactivated for the rest of the mission. Boeing is investigating whether the issue lies in the software rather than the thrusters themselves.
Preparing for the Future
Boeing has assured that the remaining helium supply is sufficient for the mission’s duration, and plans are in place to address these technical challenges before future flights. The crew also refilled the water tank in the cooling system and will carry a larger tank on future missions.
“We have two problems on this vehicle right now, the helium leak and figuring out how to fine-tune these thrusters so they’re not selected off,” said Boeing Starliner program manager Mark Nappi.
NASA’s Steve Stich compared the challenges faced by Boeing’s Starliner with the agency’s first space shuttle mission, noting similarities in technical issues. The tests conducted on the ISS will help prepare for future missions, including Starliner 1, expected to launch in early 2025.
Work on the ISS
While at the space station, the astronauts will perform various tests to evaluate Starliner’s capabilities and its suitability for crewed missions. These tests include assessing sleeping conditions, crew accommodation, and emergency procedures.
“Because they’re only scheduled to be there for a relatively short time, we work them a lot harder than we work our ISS crews,” said NASA’s Emily Nelson.
Boeing is one of two companies contracted by NASA to transport astronauts to the ISS, with SpaceX already completing multiple missions. Despite the thruster glitch, both NASA and Boeing are confident in the mission’s success.
Ready to Work
Aboard the ISS, the astronauts were greeted warmly by the Expedition 71 crew. They are eager to begin their tasks and contribute to the international partnership on the station. With a busy schedule ahead, the astronauts are prepared to make the most of their time in space.
“We’re ready to go to work for the international partners here,” said astronaut Butch Wilmore. “Whatever it is you got us to do. We’re ready.”
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