Boeing Starliner Return Delayed Until August
Astronauts Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams will remain on the International Space Station (ISS) at least until August, as the Boeing Starliner spacecraft is unable to undock and retrieve them sooner. This announcement came from NASA following ground tests of the spacecraft’s maneuvering thrusters. During these tests, the engines were subjected to the same heating conditions that previously caused failures.
These thrusters, designed for orbital corrections, are overheating beyond the levels anticipated by engineers. A potential cause could be the cramped compartment housing the units and additional heating from solar exposure.
🚀 @science
Astronauts Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams will remain on the International Space Station (ISS) at least until August, as the Boeing Starliner spacecraft is unable to undock and retrieve them sooner. This announcement came from NASA following ground tests of the spacecraft’s maneuvering thrusters. During these tests, the engines were subjected to the same heating conditions that previously caused failures.
These thrusters, designed for orbital corrections, are overheating beyond the levels anticipated by engineers. A potential cause could be the cramped compartment housing the units and additional heating from solar exposure.
🚀 @science