Boeing Starliner thruster ground testing complete, thrust decay issue remains

Boeing Starliner thruster ground testing complete, thrust decay issue remainsOn July 22nd, multiple foreign media outlets reported that Boeing and NASA engineers recently completed comprehensive ground testing of Starliner's reaction control system (RCS) thrusters. This testing aimed to delve into the thruster issues encountered during the Starliner flight in early June

Boeing Starliner thruster ground testing complete, thrust decay issue remains

On July 22nd, multiple foreign media outlets reported that Boeing and NASA engineers recently completed comprehensive ground testing of Starliner's reaction control system (RCS) thrusters. This testing aimed to delve into the thruster issues encountered during the Starliner flight in early June. Despite the completion of testing, the engineering team still faces numerous challenges.

The tests were conducted at the White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico. Engineers simulated various environmental conditions experienced during Starliner's recent flight, firing the thrusters through more than 1,000 pulse sequences to mimic the harsh conditions of the Crew Flight Test (CFT). They also tested scenarios like undocking and deorbit burn, which the spacecraft would encounter during its return journey.

Dan Niedermaier, Boeing's thruster testing engineer, stated that the team conducted additional, more challenging tests after collecting terabytes of data to more closely simulate the high-heat conditions experienced by the thrusters during flight.

However, despite the progress made during testing, the spacecraft still exhibits thrust decay, posing the biggest challenge for engineers. The team is diligently reviewing all testing data to find a solution.

Steve Stich, NASA's Commercial Crew Program manager, revealed that engineers are conducting engine disassembly and inspection to gain a deeper understanding of the root cause of the thrust decay issue. After analyzing the test results, a flight test readiness review will be conducted to determine if Starliner is safe to transport astronauts back.

Currently, the specific return date for astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams remains unconfirmed. NASA and Boeing have only stated that they will depart "in the coming weeks."

The ground testing serves as a crucial step in addressing the issues encountered during Starliner's flight. The engineering team will continue working to resolve the thrust decay issue, ensuring the safety of Starliner and ultimately achieving the goal of safely transporting astronauts to the International Space Station.

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