By 
July 29th, 2024
Boeing Starliner attached to International Space Station.
Image credit: NASA
Boeing reports that the over-the-weekend “hot fire” testing of Starliner thrusters is complete.
“The Starliner team completed a docked hot fire test of the spacecraft’s Reaction Control System (RCS) thrusters Saturday afternoon, and monitored its helium system, providing additional data points for the Crew Flight Test’s return to Earth,” Boeing reports.
Flight controllers commanded the sequential firing of 27 RCS thrusters on the troubled spacecraft. The docked to the International Space Station hotfire sequence was safely executed. Both NASA and Boeing “were very happy with the results,” the Boeing posting adds.
Image Credit: Boeing
Real-time feedback
Flight test astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams were inside Starliner Calypso giving the team on the ground real-time feedback during the test.
In preparation for the return home, the Boeing statement adds, Wilmore and Williams will participate in two undock-to-landing simulations next week.
As explained in the Boeing statement, the one-pulse firings were designed to confirm the performance of each thruster.
“Aft-facing thrusters were fired for 1.2 seconds and all others for .40 seconds. Between each firing, the team reviewed real-time data and all thrusters performed at peak thrust rating values, ranging from 97-102%.”
Boeing “Doghouse” unit containing thrusters.
Image credit: Boeing
Next up
In addition, the Boeing statement continues, the helium system also remained stable. “Additionally, an RCS oxidizer isolation valve that was not fully seated previously, was cycled several times during today’s testing and is now operating normally.”
Next up is a Flight Test Readiness Review with the data gathered to be reviewed and included in “return flight rationale,” Boeing notes. “While a landing date has not yet been set, opportunities are available throughout August.”
Image credit: Boeing
Image credit: Land landing of Starliner.
Image credit: Boeing
Posted in Space News
