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NASA has shared a good news amid growing concerns regarding the return of Boeing Starliner to Earth. The agency has revealed in a previous conference that the spacecraft is in very good condition and can remain in its orbit well beyond its 45-day limit. The spacecraft, launched on June 5, was initially scheduled for a one-week mission. But, after helium leak from the service module of Starliner came to light, it had to be docked in the International Space Station (ISS).
Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams managed to dock at the ISS after the spacecraft launched from Cape Canaveral. However, before docking, five of the 28 thrusters of the Reaction Control System (RCS) malfunctioned. Due to this the mission was extended indefinitely. Continuous delays in the spacecraft’s return to Earth raised questions about the safety of its crew. However, NASA has given some relief during the conference on Friday. Steve Stich, manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, told reporters that we talked about the 45-day limit, which is limited by the crew module batteries on Starliner, and we are looking at updating that limit. Are in process. “We are looking at those batteries and their performance in orbit,” he said.
Stitch further said that they are recharging at the station, but there is still risk. So the risk for the next 45 days is the same as the first 45 days. He further said that we are now actually looking at the performance of the batteries in the ship. We are not seeing any degradation in the performance of any of the battery cells. Earlier, this mission could be started after a delay of years. NASA’s experienced test pilots Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore were sent to the orbiting laboratory in space on June 5 via Boeing’s Sterliner.
