More than three weeks into a mission that was initially slated for just a few days, the two astronauts aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft remain uncertain about their return date.
Despite these challenges, officials have assured that the Starliner will be safe for astronaut Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore.
The final return date remains undetermined due to ongoing tests and evaluations.
The event adds to growing concerns about space debris, which poses risks of collisions and can lead to a cascading effect known as the Kessler syndrome.
This phenomenon can exponentially increase the amount of space junk, complicating satellite operations and space missions.
More than three weeks into a mission that was initially slated for just a few days, the two astronauts aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft remain uncertain about their return date.
The crewed test flight, which launched on June 5, encountered issues including helium leaks and thruster failures.
Despite these challenges, officials have assured that the Starliner will be safe for astronaut Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore.
NASA’s Commercial Crew Program manager, Steve Stich, stated on Friday that the agency is considering extending the mission duration from 45 to 90 days. The final return date remains undetermined due to ongoing tests and evaluations.
"The timeline to conduct and review the test in New Mexico is a significant factor in determining the landing date," Stich said. The extension aims to address issues identified during the spacecraft’s journey, particularly with its thrusters as reported by CNN.
Also read | Watch: Nasa sets coverage for Dragon spacecraft relocation on space station
Mark Nappi, Boeing's vice president and program manager, noted that the goal of the ongoing ground tests is to pinpoint the root cause of the issue.
"If the tests provide a complete solution, we can undock and return. If not, additional tests might be needed to get full answers," he said.
Meanwhile, Williams and Wilmore have integrated with the International Space Station (ISS) crew and are performing their scheduled tasks.
The mission’s complications began with the Starliner’s launch aboard an Atlas V rocket. Though a helium leak was detected before takeoff, it was deemed manageable at the time. Nappi has no regrets about proceeding with the flight, asserting that it was always intended to be a test.
“The mission has provided valuable data, despite the issues encountered,” Nappi said. “This is part of our process to refine and improve the spacecraft for future missions.”
In another space-related incident, a defunct Russian satellite broke into over 100 pieces of debris, prompting the US Space Command to take precautionary measures.
Also read | Boeing’s new Starliner capsule set for first crewed flight to space station
The breakup, which occurred on Wednesday, led astronauts aboard the ISS to shelter in their spacecraft for about an hour, Reuters reported.
US Space Command reported that the satellite, RESURS-P1, created a debris cloud that has since expanded to around 180 pieces. The debris is expected to remain a hazard for weeks to months, given its orbit at approximately 355 km (220 miles) above Earth.
The event adds to growing concerns about space debris, which poses risks of collisions and can lead to a cascading effect known as the Kessler syndrome.
This phenomenon can exponentially increase the amount of space junk, complicating satellite operations and space missions.
The breakup of the RESURS-P1 satellite underscores the ongoing challenge of managing space debris and ensuring the safety of spacecraft and satellites operating in increasingly crowded orbits.
