On June 5, NASA’s Starliner Crew Test Flight, led by Indian-American astronaut Sunita Williams and astronaut Butch Wilmore, encountered some technical difficulties, preventing their safe return to Earth. To address this, NASA is holding a media teleconference tonight at 9 pm IST to update everyone on the mission’s status and what’s being done to resolve the issues.
The conference will discuss the latest on the Boeing Crew Flight Test mission, including the “ground hot fire testing” being conducted. This testing is crucial for ensuring that the Starliner spacecraft can safely return home. Essentially, these tests simulate real flight conditions to make sure everything works as it should during re-entry.
UPDATE: Tomorrow's briefing on @NASA's @BoeingSpace Crew Flight Test mission will be televised live, starting at 11:30am ET.
Interested media must RSVP the @NASA_Johnson newsroom to attend. More: https://t.co/eBh9fuzwyl https://t.co/lyzADqC2m9
— NASA Commercial Crew (@Commercial_Crew) July 24, 2024
Recently, NASA and Boeing tested the Starliner’s thrusters at the White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico. This involved running simulations of various flight scenarios, like approaching the space station and dealing with stress during undocking and re-entry. Unfortunately, there have been several delays due to technical problems like helium leaks, malfunctioning thrusters, and faulty propellant valves. For instance, some thrusters have overheated, and the helium leaks, which pressurize the thrusters, seem to be related to their frequency of use.
NASA’s commercial crew manager, Steve Stich, noted that these overheating issues are linked to how often the thrusters are used and the associated helium leaks. Despite these setbacks, Sunita Williams expressed confidence during a recent press conference. She mentioned the extensive simulations they’ve undergone and reassured that if any problems arise, they’re prepared to handle them and safely return home.
Williams also shared her optimism about the spacecraft’s ability to bring them back safely, saying, “I have a real good feeling in my heart that the spacecraft will bring us home, no problem.”
