Starliner's inaugural mission nears completion following successful fire test

The extended journey of the Starliner’s inaugural crewed mission may soon be reaching its conclusion following a successful fire test of the spacecraft’s thrusters.

In this respect, it appears that the spacecraft’s first voyage to the International Space Station (ISS) will wrap up in the near future.

Since June 6, the Starliner CST-100 spacecraft has been docked at the ISS after a successful launch, Gizmodo reported. 

The mission has faced several issues, including helium leaks and problems with its thrusters in the docking process.

Moreover, the spacecraft was originally supposed to return on June 14.

Nevertheless, to ensure a safe journey, the return was delayed as NASA and Boeing had plans to conduct some more tests that are impossible on earth.

Earlier on Tuesday, two astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Sunni Williams, tested 27 of its 28 thrusters one at a time. This was to measure the thruster performance and helium leak rates.

The results were encouraging and were within the margins important for the spacecraft’s return via ship, according to a statement released by NASA.

However, Boeing, along with the two astronauts, will be reviewing the flight later this week. The Starliner mission is moving closer to the completion of its first issue.