Problems with engine

NASA postpones return of “Starliner” crew

The US space agency NASA has once again postponed the return of the "Starliner" space capsule (marked red in the image) from the ISS space station.(Bild: AFP/Maxar Technologies)

The US space agency NASA and aircraft manufacturer Boeing have postponed the return of the crew of the "Starliner" space capsule until further notice. Last week, it had been announced that it would undock from the ISS space station on June 25 and fly back to Earth.

"We are taking our time and following our standard procedure for the mission control team," Steve Stich, head of the responsible NASA program, is quoted as saying on the US space agency's website. The "Starliner" docked with the ISS performed well and the additional time could now provide valuable insights for system improvements on future missions.

Several helium leaks, "sticky" valve 
Originally, the "Starliner" and its first crew - NASA astronauts Barry Wilmore and Suni Williams - were due to undock from the ISS on June 15. Just over a week ago, it was explained that the postponement of the return would allow problems such as a "sticky" oxidizer valve and several helium leaks on the capsule to be investigated.

(Bild: Boeing Space)

Troubleshooting the engines
It is now said that the return of the Starliner crew to Earth will be delayed by a few days due to troubleshooting on the capsule's engines and a planned spacewalk.

There had already been technical problems with the Starliner during the 24-hour flight to the ISS. In the meantime, five of the 28 maneuvering thrusters failed and several helium leaks were discovered on the spacecraft. The mission is crucial for the certification of the "Starliner" for routine flights to the ISS.

Capsule will land in the desert
The Starliner is expected to land in the desert at the White Sands Missile Range, a test site for rocket and drone technology in the southern US state of New Mexico, or at a similar location depending on weather conditions.

The "Starliner" - a partially reusable spacecraft that consists of a three-metre-high capsule for the crew and a service module and, unlike the SpaceX "Crew Dragon" space capsule, does not land on water but on Earth - set off on its first manned test flight on June 5 after years of delays.

Alternative to SpaceX space capsule
In future, the spacecraft is to transport astronauts to the ISS as an alternative to the Crew Dragon. However, the project is years behind schedule due to numerous problems, while the Crew Dragon has been regularly transporting astronauts to the human outpost in space for several years.