Due to propulsion system issues and helium leaks that occurred during its journey, the Nasa Starliner capsule will be parked at the international space station for a long time.
According to Nasa’s commercial crew program manager, Steve Stich, the astronauts are safe and have no plans to leave soon. He said: “We are not in a hurry back.”
The official explained that the pair is having an enjoyable stay while on board. He said, “enjoying their time on the space station,” then further added that “our plan is also to bring them back on star liners and bring them home at the right time as well.”
This was originally designed as a week-long test flight, which came after numerous delays and setbacks for Boeing’s first astronaut launch.
However, this mission has been extended many times so far, due to thorough analysis of thruster problems and leaks plus avoiding conflicts with spacewalks by station astronauts; most recently water leak in an astronaut’s spacesuit caused a postponement of a spacewalk yet the problem remains unresolved.
During its approach to the space station, 28 thrusters were operating but five of them failed threatening almost jeopardizing docking process completely. Although all but one thruster was restarted successfully during this docking attempt, there were several helium leaks throughout the flight. It was stated by Boeing that none of these issues should affect return trip.
To get more information about what happened during docking and try reproducing it on earth, NASA and Boeing have chosen New Mexico for ground tests of capsule’s thrusters where they expect them to run for couple of weeks.
Nonetheless, Stich stressed that astronauts are not stranded in orbit as Starliner is rated up to 210 days if need be.
Additionally he reassured also that Starliner would serve as a rescue vehicle in case of emergency at ISS. In subsequent years NASA has used companies like SpaceX or Boeing because it had no other means since Shuttle fleet retired to ferry astronauts back and forth. The space agency is now planning to alternate between these two providers.
Mark Nappi, Boeing Commercial Crew Program Vice President and program manager, expressed his disappointment with the way the public has responded to this recent testing flight. He said “Reading things that are out there are pretty painful.”
Despite the successful completion of the test flight, Nappi feels that the accomplishment is being portrayed in a negative light. He further added: “We’ve gotten a really good test flight that’s been accomplished so far, and it’s being viewed rather negatively.”
Additionally they were also involved in tasks at ISS including investigations other than evaluating systems on Boeing’s spacecrafts The two astronauts have prior experience working at the orbital outpost. According to Nasa, there are enough supplies on board International Space Station for Wilmore and Williams as well as other seven crew members who may stay for long periods.
