To bring Sunita Williams back to earth, Boeing conducts over 1,00,000 simulations and results are reassuring | Technology News
NASA and Boeing have conducted over 100,000 computer model simulations to find the best possible chance to bring Barry E Wilmore and Sunita Williams back to the Earth. As per these tests, Boeing has confirmed that “27 of 28 RCS thrusters are healthy and back to full operational capability” and “Starliner’s propulsion system also maintains redundancy and the helium levels remain stable,” indicating Starliner and its crew might soon return to the earth.
For now, the return of Sunita Williams and Barry E Wilmore is still unconfirmed. By running various computer-generated simulations, Boeing studies various issues that the Starliner might encounter while undocking from the space station, returning to the earth’s atmosphere, and landing.
We remain confident in #Starliner and its ability to safely return to Earth with crew based on an abundance of testing conducted by our teams and @NASA in space and on the ground.
Find an extensive list of testing at: pic.twitter.com/dEsObZutYr
— Boeing Space (@BoeingSpace) August 3, 2024
Boeing’s extensive simulation includes seven ground tests of a Reaction Control System (RCS) thruster pulled from the Starliner-1 Service Module, one free-flight hot fire of five aft-facing thrusters prior to docking, returning 6-degree of freedom (DOF) axis control, and two docked hot fire tests—the first on seven of eight aft-facing thrusters, the second on 27 of 28 total thrusters.
For now, NASA is focused on bringing back the astronauts safely rather than hurrying the process. With these simulations, Boeing’s confidence remains high in Starliner’s return with the crew. Boeing is currently supporting NASA’s request for additional spacecraft testing and data analysis. What was meant to be an eight-day space mission has been extended over 60 days due to a malfunction in the capsule’s thrusters and a helium leak.
The Boeing Crew Flight Test (Boe-CFT), carrying astronauts Barry E. Wilmore and Sunita Williams, docked at the International Space Station (ISS) on June 5. Five of the 28 thrusters failed, and the mission was extended. It’s an important mission for both Boeing and NASA, as it marks the beginning of a new era of space travel with a reusable capsule, which is also said to reduce the overall cost of space travel.
Due to the mission’s postponement, astronauts are facing several health concerns, such as bone density loss. Boeing’s latest report is definitely reassuring for the successful completion of its first Commercial Crew Program (CCP) Starliner.
