Title: Boeing’s Starliner Capsule Aims for a Safe, Uncrewed Earth Return on Friday
As preparations intensify for the return of the Starliner capsule, the pioneering spacecraft designed for human transport, Boeing and NASA are set to bring the uncrewed vehicle back to Earth on Friday night. NASA officials express confidence in the successful, safe return of the Starliner, acknowledging the spacecraft’s reliability and performance. However, due to some reservations regarding its operational capabilities, the mission will proceed without any human occupants on board.
Mission Overview:
The high-stakes mission, which is scheduled to conclude on Friday, involves the Starliner attempting to undock from the International Space Station (ISS) around 6:04 PM Eastern Time. Assuming all goes according to plan, the spacecraft is expected to descend into the白沙 Spaceport in New Mexico approximately six hours later.
Background on Technical Issues:
Prior to its scheduled rendezvous with the ISS in June, the Starliner encountered several technical challenges. Issues included malfunctioning thrusters and a minor helium leak in the propulsion system. The crew, comprising astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, were eventually safely transferred to the ISS.
Extended Mission Duration:
Due to these unforeseen complications, the mission was delayed for several months as NASA and Boeing engineers worked to identify and rectify the root causes of the anomalies. After weeks of testing, including ground simulations and orbital trials, NASA decided on August 24 that the Starliner should return to Earth uncrewed. Wilmore and Williams are scheduled to return home on a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule in February 2025.
Dissociation Process:
The Starliner’s return journey diverges from standard ISS re-entry procedures with a so-called blow-by burn. This maneuver involves a series of 12 small-scale burns, each with a minimal velocity change of 0.1 meters per second, resulting in a shorter pulse duration compared to approaches to the ISS. NASA Commercial Crew Program Manager Steve Stich noted that this burn choice was intended to facilitate a faster departure from the ISS, a factor that simplifies the process when there are no crew on board, allowing for quicker re-entry trajectory.
Key Steps in the Reentry:
The next critical action will involve a 60-second burn that propels the Starliner into the Earth’s atmosphere, targeting白沙 for landing. The capsule will deploy parachutes and airbags for a soft landing on the ground.
Safety and Preparation:
Stich assured that the team is prepared with redundancy, a critical element in ensuring a safe entry. We expect a good burn, he stated, emphasizing the extensive planning and preparation for the reentry.
Post-Flight Analysis and Future Plans:
Following the flight, Boeing and NASA will conduct an extensive post-flight analysis over several months. The teams are also contemplating modifications or additional testing to achieve full certification of the spacecraft by NASA. However, it remains unclear what the certification pathway will look like, or how much additional cost Boeing might incur, given that the company has already invested over $1.5 billion in the Starliner project.
Uncertainty Regarding Further Missions:
The exact path to certification, and whether Boeing will need to conduct another crewed test flight, are still open questions. If the joint flight control team of NASA and Boeing decides not to attempt docking on Friday, there are additional opportunities within the coming days.
Conclusion:
As the Starliner prepares for its uncrewed return to Earth, the mission marks a significant step for Boeing in its journey to establish a reliable, commercial human transport system to the ISS. The successful re-entry and recovery will be crucial in validating the spacecraft’s capabilities and paving the way for future crewed missions.
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