Starliner’s Final Countdown: New Thruster Testing Before Earth Return

The Starliner spacecraft on NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test is pictured docked to the Harmony module’s forward port as the International Space Station orbited 262 miles above Egypt’s Mediterranean coast. Credit: NASA

As astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams near their return from the ISS, NASA and Boeing test the Starliner’s propulsion system using a new thruster at White Sands. A readiness review this month will set a new return date, with mission updates provided by NASA and Boeing leadership.

NASA and Boeing continue working to increase their understanding of the Starliner spacecraft’s propulsion system before the return of agency astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to Earth from the International Space Station. Teams are conducting ground tests at the agency’s White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico using a new Reaction Control System thruster previously planned for use on a future Starliner flight.

Hear from NASA’s Boeing Starliner Crew Flight Test astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, live from the International Space Station.

Wilmore and Williams provided an update Wednesday about their flight on Starliner and work aboard the space station during an Earth to space call. (See video above.) Following the crew news conference, NASA’s Commercial Crew Program Manager Steve Stich and Boeing Commercial Crew Program Manager and Vice President Mark Nappi spoke extensively about the mission and testing plans ahead of the Crew Flight Test return. Listen to a replay of the leadership briefing.

NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore speak during a news conference aboard the International Space Station on Wednesday, July 10, 2024. Credit: NASA Television

After an agency-level readiness review later this month, NASA and Boeing plan to select a new target return date for the Crew Flight Test. Following this review, NASA plans to host a televised briefing and will share more details on that when finalized.