Boeing Starliner’s Return Delayed Due to Technical Complications

CAPE CANAVERAL — Boeing’s first astronaut mission using the Starliner capsule has experienced another delay, with the spacecraft’s return to Earth now postponed until at least July 2, extending its stay at the International Space Station (ISS).

According to Steve Stich, manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, the decision to extend the Starliner’s mission provides Boeing and NASA additional time to address and analyze various technical issues. “We are taking our time and following our standard mission management team process,” Stich explained in a Friday night update, noting that the extension was necessary to manage minor helium system leaks and assess thruster performance issues observed during the spacecraft’s rendezvous and docking with the ISS.

The Starliner, on its Crew Flight Test mission launched on June 5, carried NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to the ISS, arriving the following day. However, the mission encountered setbacks when five of the capsule’s 28 reaction control system (RCS) thrusters malfunctioned during its approach to the station. Although four thrusters were subsequently restored, the mission team has been carefully monitoring the capsule, which also presented five small helium leaks in its propulsion system. While one leak was detected prior to launch and deemed non-critical, the other four emerged post-launch, complicating the mission’s timeline and objectives.