NASA and Boeing recently held a news conference to discuss the successful return of the Starliner spacecraft. The landing at White Sands was described as a 'bullseye,' showcasing a great achievement in the mission.
During the entry phase, there were a few technical issues that were addressed by the team. The navigation system, known as CIGI-3, experienced a temporary failure upon exiting the plasma, but was quickly restored and functioned properly thereafter. Another system, CIGI-2, also had minor hiccups during entry, which will be further investigated.
One of the critical components, the sublimator, which is responsible for cooling the spacecraft during entry, performed exceptionally well. Despite some initial challenges with forming an ice block lock during ASIN, the sublimator functioned effectively during the return.
The team is now focused on the next steps for the spacecraft. Plans include addressing issues with the helium system and replacing seals on the flanges of the RCS thrusters. The material used for the seals will be upgraded to ensure compatibility with hypergols, and adjustments in size may also be made for improved performance.
Overall, the successful return of the Starliner marks a significant milestone in the mission, and the team is already strategizing on the necessary upgrades and maintenance tasks to prepare for future missions.
