Sunita Williams In Space: What If Boeing's Starliner Return To Earth Is Further Delayed? NASA Says...

(MENAFN- Live Mint) The Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, which carried NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore to the International Space Station (ISS) on June 5, is all set to return to Earth on Friday, September 6.

A few minutes before Starliner's undocking from the ISS, a“go/no-go” poll will be conducted to weigh in the conditions at the designated landing site in White Sands, New Mexico. Once cleared, undocking is expected at 6:04 pm EDT (3:30 am IST), with springs instantly pushing the spacecraft away from the ISS.

But what if the Starliner's return to Earth is delayed on Friday?

Anthony Vareha, flight director, International Space Station, said on Wednesday that if, for some reason, the joint team decides not to undock on Friday, "we have undocking opportunities on several later days all of which are subject to weather constraints".

He added that once the hatch in the Starliner is closed on Thursda , "we will leave it closed, no matter the undocking date". According to a report , backup opportunities are spaced four days apart, providing flexibility to ensure safe touchdown conditions.

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While NASA experts said they have full confidence in Starliner and it's safe return to Earth, Vareha said, "We have guidance in these rules to say which types of things we can live without versus which things we would actually stop the undocking for...it's a very long rule..."

When asked about the worst-case scenario in which the undocking could be delayed, Vareha said on Wednesday NASA expects thrusters of the Starliner to work for the breakout burn. He explained that not just the Starliner but several other factors are taken into consideration during the "Go"-"No Go" poll

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