In a recent announcement, NASA revealed that Boeing's Starliner spacecraft will be staying in space longer than expected as engineers troubleshoot issues relating to helium leaks and thruster failures during the test flight. The additional time will allow for detailed investigations into these problems before the spacecraft begins its return journey.

Originally planned to remain docked to the International Space Station for approximately a week, the Starliner capsule is now scheduled to fly NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Barry "Butch" Wilmore back to Earth, with a planned landing in the New Mexico desert at 4:51 a.m. Eastern time on June 26. This extended 20-day mission will put the spacecraft's heat shield to the test, subjecting it to temperatures of around 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit during reentry.

One of the key areas of focus for NASA and Boeing is the examination of the spacecraft's parachute system. After a redesign following a previous test flight, the safe landing of the Starliner will be crucial during its return flight with humans aboard. Officials are also monitoring the thruster system, which experienced a temporary failure during the flight, forcing the vehicle to be backed away from the space station. Although four of the five thrusters were brought back online successfully, caution led to the decision of not using the one that didn't come back online.

In addition to the thruster issues, Starliner has encountered a series of helium leaks in its propulsion system. The most recent leak, the fifth one discovered during the spacecraft's time on the station, is considered small and will not affect the return journey. The presence of helium is necessary to pressurize the propellants used in the spacecraft's propulsion system.

The delays in Starliner's return are attributed to the thruster problems and helium leaks, both of which are contained within the spacecraft's service module. To thoroughly investigate the root causes of these issues, engineers will need to work diligently before the service module is jettisoned and burned up upon reentry. NASA emphasizes the importance of leaving no stone unturned in understanding and rectifying these problems.

The overheating of the thrusters, experienced while keeping the capsule on course with the space station, is believed to have caused the propellants to vaporize and led to lower than expected thrust. However, the exact reasons behind the helium leaks remain unknown to engineers at this stage.

Despite the aforementioned challenges, NASA maintains confidence in Starliner. Officials anticipate encountering issues during test flights with humans on board and consider this mission a vital learning opportunity. Once the mission is completed, the certification process for Starliner's regular crew rotation flights, accommodating four astronauts, can proceed. In contrast, SpaceX, NASA's other commercial crew program participant, has been successfully flying astronauts since 2020.

Addressing the current concerns, Mark Nappi, Boeing's Vice President overseeing the Starliner program, acknowledged that the helium system needs further examination and improvement. The resolution of these issues is vital before embarking on future missions of this nature.

With the necessary investigations ongoing, it remains uncertain when Boeing will conduct its first regular crew rotation mission. NASA and Boeing are committed to addressing the helium leaks and resolving the low thrust problem before proceeding with any future flights.

In the meantime, NASA astronauts Williams and Wilmore have been making the most of their time aboard the International Space Station, preparing for their return, rehearsing emergency procedures utilizing the Starliner as a safe haven, and assisting with various research tasks alongside their station crewmates.

Ultimately, the extended mission duration allows for a comprehensive evaluation of the issues experienced by Starliner during this test flight. NASA and Boeing remain dedicated to ensuring the safety and effectiveness of future crewed missions to the International Space Station, pursuing a meticulous approach to resolving the current challenges.