Boeing’s Starliner can stay in space for more than 45 days, NASA says

Boeing’s Starliner capsule is performing well enough on its first-ever astronaut mission to remain in orbit longer than the originally planned 45 days, NASA says.

Starliner, which launched on June 5, has docked with the International Space Station (ISS) for an unspecified mission extension. The spacecraft is in good condition and capable of leaving the ISS in the event of an emergency. However, both NASA and Boeing are trying to understand why some of Starliner’s reaction control system (RCS) thrusters experienced problems leading up to its June 6 docking with the ISS, and why the capsule has developed multiple helium leaks. As such, Starliner will remain in space until at least later in the summer as testing and analysis continues. For example, a new round of thrust testing on the ground is expected to begin soon, possibly as early as today (July 2).

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