On June 6, 2024, Boeing’s Starliner capsule was seen approaching the International Space Station with two NASA astronauts on board.
NASA TV
Boeing’s The Starliner capsule will make a delayed docking attempt with the International Space Station on Thursday after NASA canceled an initial approach to analyzing problems with the spacecraft’s propulsion system.
The spacecraft was originally scheduled to dock with the International Space Station at 12:15 pm Eastern Time, but NASA flight controllers canceled the approach and instructed the astronauts on board to keep the spacecraft 200 meters (or about 650 meters) from the space station. ft.).
Starliner has 28 jets, called reaction control system (RCS) engines, that help the spacecraft make small movements in orbit. NASA is troubleshooting five inoperable jets and has restored four failed jets after testing.
After NASA cleared Starliner for operation with 27 of the 28 jets, the spacecraft is scheduled to make a second docking attempt at 1:33 p.m. ET.
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NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suny Williams have been working with NASA flight controllers to test thrusters in an attempt to restore the spacecraft’s complete propulsion system.
NASA capsule correspondent Neal Nagata told Wilmore and Williams that the 12:15 p.m. docking attempt had to be canceled due to the International Space Station’s zero tolerance for spacecraft control issues.
CAPCOM Nagata lets astronauts keep the spacecraft outside the “no-go zone,” an invisible border around the International Space Station, as a safety measure while diagnosing problematic thrusters.
Boeing’s Starliner successfully launched on Wednesday to begin crewed flight tests, marking the first time the capsule has transported astronauts into space. This mission is the last important step before NASA certifies Boeing for manned combat missions.
The spacecraft was once seen as a competitor to SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft. However, various setbacks and delays have gradually relegated Starliner to NASA’s backup position, and the agency plans to have the two companies alternately transport astronauts on missions.
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