NASA and Boeing Progress Starliner Crew Tests at Space Station

As part of the Boeing Crew Flight Test, NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, along with ground teams, are completing various objectives since Starliner arrived at the International Space Station on June 6. These include:

• Powering down and up the spacecraft to test minimal power mode during operational missions.
• Conducting “safe haven” checks to ensure the spacecraft can support a crew with its own air and consumables during an emergency.
• Performing a habitability study with astronauts Tracy Dyson and Matthew Dominick to evaluate seating positions and air circulation for a four-person crew.
• Evaluating spacesuit and seat-fits, as well as checking the service module’s batteries.

Ground teams are also monitoring Starliner’s performance and planning for its return on June 18, pending weather and spacecraft readiness. Starliner is cleared for crew emergency return scenarios from the station according to flight rules.

One of Starliner’s reaction control system (RCS) thrusters remains de-selected as teams evaluate its performance. Ground teams plan to fire all 28 RCS thrusters after undocking to collect additional data. Engineers are also assessing five small leaks in the service module helium manifolds and evaluating an RCS oxidizer isolation valve that’s not properly closed. Despite these issues, the spacecraft has sufficient margin to support the return trip.

Mission managers are continuing to work on the return plan, including assessments of flight rationale, fault tolerance, and potential operational mitigations. NASA and Boeing will hold a pre-departure media teleconference to provide updates before Starliner undocks from the station.

Aboard the International Space Station, the Expedition 71 crew is keeping busy with preparations for an upcoming spacewalk, while NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who arrived on the Starliner spacecraft, are extending their stay to allow more time for system checks.

NASA Flight Engineers Tracy C. Dyson and Matthew Dominick are gearing up for the first of three planned spacewalks scheduled for science and maintenance tasks. Their objectives include retrieving faulty communications hardware and swabbing station surfaces to collect microorganism samples.

In preparation, Dominick underwent a spacesuit fit check with the assistance of NASA Flight Engineer Mike Barratt. Later, Dominick joined Dyson, Barratt, and NASA Flight Engineer Jeanette Epps to review procedures for operating the Canadarm2 robotic arm, which will be used to retrieve the radio gear during the spacewalk.

Epps kept herself occupied with various tasks, including measuring sound levels aboard the station, testing lab water for microbial contamination, and conducting a hearing exam on herself. Dyson and Russian cosmonaut Nikolai Chub, meanwhile, tested their visual acuity using a standard eye chart.

As for Wilmore and Williams, the veteran NASA astronauts learned on Sunday that their stay aboard the station would be extended until June 18. This additional time will allow for more thorough checks of the Starliner’s systems and free up the Expedition 71 crew to focus on spacewalk preparations.

During their extended stay, Wilmore and Williams conducted health checks, worked on computer maintenance tasks, and assisted with the installation of hardware for space fire investigations.