Boeing Starliner's undocking and return to Earth explained - Any risks with thrusters?

NASA Commercial Crew program manager Steve Stich explains how Boeing Starliner will undock from the International Space Station and return to Earth.

Credit: NASA

[bivideo]

Gemini VIII - separate maneuvering and re-entry systems. 1966. Why is this a problem?

[JustMeTalking]

Little springs on the ISS that'll push Starliner away...

Like flushing the toilet you mean...

[PeteDavidson-ylps]

Yes it's safe...well yes it burnt up entering the atmosphere, but guys overall the mission was a success after all we got them up there, that's 50% success...we continue to work on these glitches...

[victorkrawchuk]

I wonder if Starliner's flight automation software was updated to implement short thruster pulses where possible near the ISS to help avoid RCS thruster overheating while undocking. Could this have been one of the reasons why it took Boeing so long to re-instate the flight automation software for an uncrewed return? The reason that was initially given was to re-install configuration parameters from the previous mission, or something like that. Anyway I predict an uneventful and anticlimactic return of Starliner in a couple of days.

[kmoecub]

It's so sad to me that the perspective of what we expect because of the years spent with human spaceflight, are conflagrated with the actual hours of experience we have with human spaceflight to the point that the vast majority of people expect perfection. Spaceflight is still in its infancy. The total amount of space travel experience we have at this time (worldwide) is still less than the total amount of seal trave experience all of humanity had worldwide before written history.

[theelephant]

On the positive side, Boeing's can opener is amazing

[mikehemeon]

"Face it Flounder, you fucked up, you trusted us".

[jamesthompson]

The delay was for installation of a screen door in Starliner. Boeing now has a cool door they can open mid-flight - like in their commercial jets. Saves money on air conditioning.

The MBAs came up with it. Saving operating costs means more profit, more management bonuses.
S'All good, right?

Wait till they demonstrate it tonight on the way down. Stock's gonna bounce - you'll see.

[rbrtck]

Just make sure that every astronaut is in their spacecraft during this process, just in case. Obviously Butch and Suni will have to be stowed as human cargo in the Dragon that is currently docked.

[mdr]

Hopefully they can get enough data out of the return that they don't need another test flight

[penguinca]

We tested them, it's fine. It was 4 weeks ago not too worry

[alexrebmann]

If returned with no problem it needs to be inspected from top to bottom to find out what else is wrong and not by Boeing.

[areareare]

Actually, "the space station is safe from us", is the proper order of them thar words.

[iuliandragomir]

No, no risk. Just a nice firework ! NASA please don't lie!

[rsereday]

Boeing is a real mess, seems like they have had more misses than hits lately. If they made cars I WOULD NOT BUY ONE.

[andrewpotter]

Let's go to the Comments for "Expert"opinions.

[raullcalzadilla]

So why all this hateful stuff against Boeing? It seems that this kind of behavior and talk is becoming more and more common, and that's not OK, because it shows a kind of mindset that in the extreme, exposes a disturbed mind and sick society.

[AlongtheRiverLife]

I am sure the lobbyist are the only ones keeping Boeing in the Space game. Because they sure can't make an aircraft anymore. What happens when a company goes WOKE.

[conantdog]

When I make airplane reservations I tell my wife if it's a Boeing I ain't going. Another great company destroyed by Bean counters.

[matthiasgrunwald]

Bring this expensive trash-can back lol