A Starliner spacecraft has already visited the International Space Station once during an uncrewed mission, relying solely on its onboard computers for navigation. The vehicle successfully survived reentry twice, showcasing its capabilities in autonomous operations.
During a recent test flight in 2022, Starliner demonstrated a unique maneuver by backing away from the ISS, ascending over the space station, and then performing a departure burn to return below the orbiting laboratory. This maneuver was designed to allow the spacecraft to inspect the exterior of the aging ISS, a capability that NASA had specifically requested Boeing to incorporate into Starliner's operations.
However, on its upcoming journey back to Earth, Starliner will employ a different approach. After departing from its docking port, the spacecraft will execute a special 'breakout burn,' involving a series of 12 brief engine firings to propel it away from the ISS. This strategy, as explained by NASA officials, aims to reduce stress on the thrusters, which have experienced issues in the past.
According to NASA's commercial crew program manager, Steve Stich, this new maneuver will be quicker and more efficient, taking approximately five minutes to complete the entire sequence. The decision to opt for a breakout burn was based on the need to expedite the spacecraft's departure from the ISS, ensuring a faster trajectory back home.
NASA flight director Anthony Vareha emphasized that the breakout burn minimizes variables that need to be accounted for, especially in the absence of crew members who could provide manual intervention if required. By swiftly moving the vehicle away from the space station, the breakout burn streamlines the return process and accelerates Starliner's journey back to Earth.
