Starliner return delayed again, this time indefinitely

In a disappointing turn of events, NASA and Boeing have announced that the return of the Starliner spacecraft has been delayed once again, this time indefinitely. The spacecraft, which was launched on an uncrewed test flight to the International Space Station (ISS) in December 2020, has been plagued by technical issues and setbacks, causing its return to be pushed back multiple times.

The latest delay comes as a result of ongoing issues with the spacecraft’s propulsion system, which has been experiencing problems with its fuel valves. According to NASA, the agency and Boeing are working together to identify the root cause of the issue and develop a plan to rectify it. However, until the problem is resolved, the Starliner will remain in orbit, awaiting further instructions.

This is not the first time that the Starliner’s return has been delayed. Initially, the spacecraft was scheduled to return to Earth just days after its launch, but a series of technical issues, including a timing error that caused the spacecraft to burn too much fuel, forced NASA and Boeing to extend its stay in orbit. Since then, the return date has been pushed back multiple times, with the latest delay being the most indefinite yet.

The Starliner’s troubles have been a major setback for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, which aims to develop private spacecraft capable of carrying astronauts to and from the ISS. The program, which also includes SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft, was designed to reduce the agency’s reliance on Russian Soyuz rockets and provide a safe and reliable means of transporting astronauts to the ISS.

While the Crew Dragon has successfully completed multiple crewed missions to the ISS, the Starliner has struggled to overcome its technical issues. The latest delay has raised concerns about the spacecraft’s ability to meet NASA’s safety and performance standards, and has sparked questions about the future of the program.

In a statement, NASA said that the agency is “committed to ensuring the safety of our astronauts and the success of our missions.” The agency added that it will continue to work with Boeing to resolve the issues with the Starliner and ensure that the spacecraft is ready for its next mission.

Despite the setbacks, NASA remains optimistic about the future of the Commercial Crew Program. The agency is currently working on a new lunar lander, which is expected to be ready for its first mission in the mid-2020s. The program is also expected to play a key role in NASA’s plans to return humans to the Moon by 2024.

In the meantime, the Starliner will remain in orbit, awaiting further instructions from NASA and Boeing. While the latest delay is a setback, it is a reminder of the challenges and complexities involved in space travel. As NASA and its partners continue to push the boundaries of space exploration, they will undoubtedly face many more challenges along the way.