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Shop NowBoeing’s Starliner spacecraft will have a robot at the controls when it attempts landing September 6. NASA engineers think they successfully updated the firmware remotely, allowing the craft to undock itself under python script control. They’ve been hesitant to do that because a glitch could have “bricked” the docking port. That would leave the spacecraft stuck there permanently, like a cork in a bottle.
Starliner heads home
The humans supposed to pilot Starliner home will be safe, secure, and bored stiff until February. They’ll be stuck floating in the ISS tin can, far above the world, until they can hitch a ride to Earth with SpaceX.
NASA announced on Friday, August 30, that they and Boeing “are proceeding with final preparations to undock.” That means checking the code one more time before they run it.
Like the Titanic, the Starliner is on it’s maiden voyage. Instead of hitting an iceberg, it malfunctioned mechanically. Boeing is hoping they can get it back to the hanger for a whole bunch of warranty work they owe American taxpayers.
NASA and Boeing teams are “go” to proceed with undocking the uncrewed #Starliner from the @Space_Station on Friday, Sept. 6.
Undocking coverage is set to begin at 5:45pm ET (2145 UTC), with Starliner touching down at 12:03am (0403 UTC) on Sept. 7. More: https://t.co/rvPuZE14wx pic.twitter.com/ehFVBhlOdw
— NASA (@NASA) August 30, 2024
Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams only packed for an eight-day stay at the International Space Station in June. After weeks of suspense awaiting their fate, it has been officially confirmed they won’t return until February.
The Starliner spacecraft itself, under autopilot control, is scheduled to depart from the ISS on Friday, September 6.
If the thrusters work properly, the helium lines hold pressure, and no other malfunctions occur, then the troubled craft will parachute down to White Sands Space Harbor. That’s in southern New Mexico.
Too risky for humans
NASA officials in their infinite wisdom, after a briefing by high priced lawyers, decided that “it was too risky to put the astronauts on Starliner.” Not after the way their Boeing built spacecraft “suffered thruster failures” on the way up.
The seasoned veteran test pilots are trying to focus on the positive. At least they didn’t have to eject. They may be stuck doing odd chores around the space station to keep occupied but they’ll be hitching a ride home on a proven and reliable SpaceX Dragon capsule.
Everyone will be watching on the big day to see if Starliner makes it home or has another catastrophe. Nobody ever says better sorry than safe. That’s why Wilmore and Williams will watch from the ISS windows, even if the chances are near certain that the robot will have a safe and routine ride down.
Starliner#Boeing #NASA pic.twitter.com/rPV5TWtvh1
— Nick_Anderson_ (@Nick_Anderson_) August 26, 2024
Departure is scheduled for 6:04 pm EDT, depending on the weather in New Mexico. Touchdown is slated for 12:03 am EDT (04:03 UTC) on September 7.
Leaving the crew behind on Starliner’s first trip wasn’t good for Boeing’s stock price. “NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said last week that Boeing’s new CEO, Kelly Ortberg, told him the aerospace company remained committed to Starliner.”
“However, Boeing will be on the hook to pay for the cost of resolving problems with overheating thrusters and helium leaks that hamstrung the CFT mission.“
