Boeing recently announced that the teams were able to replicate the thrust degradation experienced by Starliner and are now analyzing the collected data. However, the exact return date for astronauts Wilmore and Williams remains uncertain, with NASA and Boeing stating only that the trip will occur “in the coming weeks.”
At the White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico, engineers simulated conditions from Starliner’s recent flight, subjecting the control system thruster to over 1,000 pulses to mimic Crew Flight Test (CFT) conditions.
These tests included scenarios for undocking and deorbit burns, which Starliner will face on its return journey. After collecting extensive data, the teams conducted additional, more aggressive tests to replicate the higher thermal conditions experienced in-flight, as explained by Dan Niedermaier, Boeing’s engineer for thruster testing.
The current phase involves “engine tear downs and inspections,” according to NASA’s Commercial Crew Program manager, Steve Stich.
