Search our blog for articles and insights right here, just type your interest and dive into a world of knowledge.
Popular articles
Boeing and NASA Conclude Crucial Starliner Tests
In a significant development, engineers from Boeing and NASA have completed a series of rigorous ground tests on a Starliner Reaction Control System (RCS) thruster. These tests, which concluded this past week, aimed to pinpoint the issues experienced by the Starliner during its early June flight. The teams successfully replicated the thrust degradation observed during the mission, and all collected data is now under review.
The testing took place at the White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico, where conditions mimicking the recent Starliner flight were created. The RCS thruster was subjected to a demanding launch-to-docking firing sequence that incorporated over 1,000 pulses to simulate Crew Flight Test (CFT) conditions. The teams also tested undocking and deorbit burn scenarios to assess Starliner’s performance during its return journey.
Collecting terabytes of data, the engineers proceeded to conduct additional, more strenuous tests. These tests aimed to better simulate the higher thermal conditions the thrusters encountered in-flight. "We wanted to see if we could more closely simulate the higher thermal conditions the thrusters experienced in-flight," explained Dan Niedermaier, a Boeing engineer involved in the thruster testing.
To further understand the thruster’s performance, the teams are now undertaking "engine tear downs and inspections." Steve Stich, NASA’s Commercial Crew Program manager, highlighted this ongoing phase of detailed analysis. The subsequent step will involve an Agency Flight Test Readiness Review to evaluate if Starliner meets all the criteria to safely bring astronauts back from space. NASA and Boeing are expected to disclose further details in an upcoming conference.
