NASA and Boeing have announced an extension for the first crewed Starliner flight, but a new target date for the capsule's return to Earth has not yet been set. The decision comes as the Starliner team conducts crucial additional testing on the ground, which is expected to be completed before the spacecraft departs from the International Space Station (ISS).

Boeing's crew flight test marks an important milestone as it represents the first time the Starliner will carry astronauts from NASA, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. The spacecraft, named "Calypso," will remain at the ISS until next month while NASA and Boeing conduct new testing on the ground.

According to officials, the Starliner team will initiate a test campaign of the spacecraft's thruster technology at White Sands, New Mexico. This testing aims to replicate the inflight conditions and is expected to take a couple of weeks to complete. The main focus of the testing will be on gathering more data about the spacecraft's thruster system performance.

Initially scheduled for a nine-day mission, the Starliner flight has now surpassed 24 days and continues its stay at the ISS. Despite the extended duration, NASA and Boeing assure that the Starliner is safe to return at any point in case of an emergency.

NASA's Commercial Crew manager, Steve Stich, mentioned during a press conference that the goal of the ground testing is to examine the thruster system and ensure there are no unusual issues with its performance. The testing is slated to begin as early as Tuesday at White Sands.

Stich emphasized that the astronaut crew aboard Starliner, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, are not stranded in space and reiterated the spacecraft's safety. The successful completion of Boeing's crew flight test is an essential step for NASA to certify Boeing for crewed missions lasting up to six months.

Starliner, once considered a competitor to SpaceX's Dragon, has faced various setbacks and delays, placing it in a backup position for NASA. The agency plans to alternate crewed flights between SpaceX and Boeing in the future.

With the decision to extend the mission, Starliner teams aim to investigate thruster issues that arose when the spacecraft approached the ISS. The ground testing at White Sands will provide an opportunity for detailed inspection and analysis of the thruster performance before determining a specific date for the capsule's return.

While the extended stay at the ISS allows for more time to study Starliner during this experimental mission, NASA emphasizes that the spacecraft is designed for missions lasting up to 210 days, highlighting its robustness and capabilities.

Both NASA and Boeing officials stated that delaying the return to Earth is not due to a critical problem but rather an optional choice to conduct additional testing and ensure the spacecraft's safety. The safety of the crew, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, remains a top priority, with Boeing's Starliner program Vice President, Mark Nappi, reassuring that they are not in danger and that there is no increased risk associated with the decision to bring them back to Earth.

As the Starliner team works diligently to address any potential issues, NASA and Boeing continue to collaborate to ensure the success of future crewed missions and the further advancement of human space exploration.