Astronauts onboard the Starliner spacecraft remain optimistic about Boeing despite their prolonged stay, stating, "We're having a blast up here."
Boeing's Starliner spacecraft faced significant propulsion system issues during its approach to the International Space Station (ISS), with multiple aft-facing reaction control system (RCS) thrusters failing [1]. The vehicle lost several of its eight RCS thrusters, resulting in a loss of full attitude control in six degrees of freedom (6DOF), making manual control very difficult and the situation precarious.
Despite the challenges, the astronauts on board, including Butch Wilmore, managed to maintain control of the spacecraft. However, losing these thrusters would typically have aborted the docking attempt since the same thrusters are required to orient the capsule for deorbit burn and safe reentry. But, in a critical decision, NASA Mission Control decided to attempt a software reset, essentially rebooting the thruster control system remotely.
This reset brought some thrusters back online, although one thruster failed again afterward. However, a second reset restored all but one thruster, allowing the spacecraft to complete its planned autonomous docking to the ISS despite the degraded propulsion capacity [1].
The propulsion problems and associated mission delays resulted in the two astronauts on Starliner remaining at the ISS for nine months, far longer than the intended eight-day test mission [3][4]. The incident underscored that spaceflight remains complex and non-routine despite advances in technology [4].
Similar thruster issues had occurred during an earlier uncrewed Starliner mission in 2022, suggesting the problem might be linked to input data being outside expected limits rather than a hardware or software malfunction. However, the exact cause remains unknown [1].
NASA has since initiated ground tests of a similar thruster, subjecting it to conditions similar to those experienced in flight [2]. Butch Wilmore, who piloted the spacecraft manually, praised its precision during the journey to the ISS [5].
A new study suggests that understanding the smell of Mars could be crucial in preparing future colonists of the red planet [6]. The research could pave the way for the development of air purification systems tailored to Mars' unique environment, ensuring the safety and well-being of future Martian colonists.
Despite the initial setbacks, Boeing's Starliner successfully lifted off, commenced its journey to the ISS, and, after overcoming the propulsion issues, docked successfully [1]. NASA now allows astronauts to use Boeing's Starliner in an emergency for returning to Earth.
References:
- Boeing's Starliner spacecraft successfully docks with ISS after propulsion issues
- NASA ground tests Boeing's Starliner thruster following propulsion issues
- Boeing's Starliner spacecraft astronauts extend stay on ISS to nine months
- NASA's Boeing Starliner spacecraft faces propulsion issues, delaying crew's return
- Butch Wilmore on piloting Boeing's Starliner spacecraft: "This is the world of testing. It's a tough business"
- Understanding the smell of Mars could be crucial for future colonists
Science and technology played a crucial role in overcoming propulsion issues faced by Boeing's Starliner spacecraft during its approach to the International Space Station (ISS). Despite multiple aft-facing reaction control system (RCS) thrusters failing, NASA Mission Control made a critical decision to attempt a software reset, essentially rebooting the thruster control system remotely, which brought some thrusters back online and allowed the spacecraft to complete its planned autonomous docking to the ISS.
