Boeing Starliner has experienced problems with five of its 28 reaction control system (RCS) thrusters and there have been five helium leaks in Starliner’s propulsion system.
Starliner was initially scheduled to spend about a week at the ISS on this shakeout cruise. But on June 9, NASA and Boeing announced that its departure had been pushed back to no earlier than June 18, to accommodate a planned June 13 NASA spacewalk at the ISS and to allow more time for Starliner checkouts.
Then, on Tuesday (June 18), the planned departure date shifted again, to June 26. The reasoning was similar: The extra time would allow a more detailed assessment of the helium leaks and RCS thruster issues. And there was still a spacewalk to accommodate; the planned June 13 excursion was moved to June 24, after one of the designated spacewalkers experienced discomfort with his suit.
NASA plans to conduct another spacewalk on July 2 and also wants that activity to be done before Starliner comes home
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