The Extended Stay of Boeing’s Starliner Capsule “Calypso” at the ISS

NASA and Boeing have announced an extension to the first Starliner crewed flight, but without setting a new target date for the capsule’s return to Earth. Boeing’s Starliner capsule, named “Calypso,” will remain at the International Space Station for additional testing on the ground, delaying its return.

Despite initial plans for the Starliner to be in space for nine days, the mission has now surpassed 24 days and counting. This extension is mainly to conduct thorough testing of the spacecraft’s thruster system back on Earth. NASA’s Commercial Crew manager, Steve Stich, mentioned during a press conference that the testing could take a couple of weeks at White Sands, New Mexico, to replicate in-flight conditions.

The Starliner crew flight test is a critical step before NASA certifies Boeing for operational, six-month missions. However, similar to its previous uncrewed missions, the Starliner has encountered several problems during the mission, leading to delays and setbacks. This has caused Starliner to fall behind SpaceX’s Dragon in crewed missions to the ISS.

Boeing and NASA emphasize that the delay in returning the Starliner to Earth is solely for gathering more data and not due to any immediate danger or risky problem onboard. The primary focus of the ground testing is to ensure that the thruster system’s performance is thoroughly examined before the return is scheduled. Officials have reiterated that Butch and Suni are safe and not stranded in space.

The decision to keep the Starliner at the ISS during the ground testing is to enable more frequent thruster tests on the ground and to physically inspect the thrusters after test firings. While the prolonged stay in orbit was not part of the initial plan, NASA and Boeing expressed confidence in the spacecraft’s design and safety. The spacecraft is capable of missions lasting up to 210 days.

The extended stay of Boeing’s Starliner capsule “Calypso” at the International Space Station is a result of the necessary testing to ensure the spacecraft’s thruster system’s performance. Despite the delays and setbacks faced during the mission, NASA and Boeing emphasize the safety of the crew and the spacecraft, highlighting that the extension is part of an experimental mission and not due to critical issues. The meticulous testing on the ground will provide valuable data before the Starliner’s final return to Earth.