NASA Commercial Crew Program Manager Steve Stich said in a virtual news conference that there is no rush to bring back astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams as they continue to work through technical issues to get back to Earth.
Stich, who did not mention any return date for now, said the Starliner did not have any new problems and that the ship “is in good condition.”
Boeing’s first manned space mission was due to return on June 14, but has been delayed due to helium leaks.
NASA and Boeing have remained silent over the past week on the capsule’s return, which they had postponed until last Tuesday, sparking speculation and conspiracy theories. Both said on Friday that they would make information about Starliner more frequent.
“What we hope to do today is perhaps clear up some information that has been out there and any misunderstandings about the flight and our status of the Starliner and path forward,” Stich said.
Participants in the press conference said everyone should understand that they are still in the middle of a test mission.
On the other hand, the participants pointed out that they have not received any communication from Russia regarding the satellite of that country that disintegrated on Wednesday and that forced the astronauts of the ISS to temporarily take refuge in the three capsules, including the Starliner.
At least 45 more days
Stich stressed that the vehicle is being checked to ensure that everything is ready for Starliner’s return to Earth. “We’re talking about a 45-day limit,” during which a series of battery checks and in-orbit performance will be carried out.
He recalled that the Starliner ship is designed for a 210-day mission, that “the systems are working well” and the software and the thrusters are also being verified for correct operation.
With the extra time in orbit at the ISS, NASA and Boeing experts will also focus on looking at how heaters in the propeller system work and thermal performance, among other tests.
Regarding the helium leaks that were detected, it was reported that they were verified on the 15th and that the filtration rates were decreasing in all the collectors that had leaks.
Boeing upset with media comments
Mark Nappi, vice president of Boeing’s Commercial Crew Program, was, for his part, especially hurt by the comments made in multiple media about this mission.
“It’s pretty painful to read the things that are out there. We’ve gotten a really good test flight and it’s being viewed in a pretty negative light,” without any real exposure of the facts, Nappi lamented on the conference call.
And he repeated what Stich had said: “We are not trapped” on the ISS, “the crew is not in any danger and there is no increased risk when we decide to bring them” back to Earth.
He gave a positive recap of the mission so far, with a “really perfect” launch and orbital insertion and all flight test objectives met.
Nappi said that extending their stay on the ISS has also allowed them to learn more about what a long-duration mission is like, something that would have been impossible if they had to return after eight days.
“So we are docked” at the ISS and “safe,” said Nappi, who stressed that, if necessary, they could return the ship to Earth.
He acknowledged, however, that the extension of the stay on the ISS was due to two anomalies: the deactivation of the thrusters on the approach to the space laboratory and helium leaks, which requires testing and more time for permanent repair.
If the so-called CFT mission (Crew Flight Test) is successful and NASA certifications are achieved, Boeing will become the second provider of manned and cargo flights to the ISS, as Elon’s company already does. Musk, SpaceX, under million-dollar contracts with the US space agency.
