Three weeks after their scheduled return to Earth, a pair of astronauts were optimistic on Wednesday that they would be safely returned to Boeing’s space capsule despite a string of unfortunate mishaps.
The new Starliner capsule from Boeing was first flown last month by NASA test pilots Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore. They were delayed significantly from their intended arrival at the International Space Station (ISS) due to helium leaks and engine issues.
Officials have stated that the latest they may return is at the end of July.
During their first press conference from space, the astronauts stated their intention to return to Earth as soon as thruster testing is over. They expressed satisfaction in assisting the station crew and said that they were not displeased with the opportunity to spend more time in orbit. Along with seven others, both have worked at the orbiting lab in the past.
Overheating engines on Boeing’s ill-fated Starliner spacecraft have kept astronauts confined to the International Space Station.
NASA officials have been testing out one of the spacecraft’s malfunctioning engines on Earth over the previous 30 days.
The space agency started investigating at its White Sands, New Mexico, test site after the ship experienced problems docking with the ISS in early June due to its thrusters failing to work correctly. The ship’s experts found that the four thrusters on board seemed to be overheating.
Agents call the propulsion pods that hold Starliner’s four rockets “doghouses.” The doghouses have thermos-like insulation that traps heat, leading to overheating, apparently because of a design defect that was found during those tests.
Since the flight, which was initially scheduled to last only eight days, has now extended to a month, those tests must conclude soon if agency engineers are to ascertain whether Starliner is safe to return the stranded astronauts home.
The helium leaks, which faulty seals may cause, are being investigated through ground experiments.
Officials have assured us that there is plenty of helium available for the return journey.
