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Latest Science Updates: Days after astronauts sought refuge in the Starliner spacecraft due to serious threats from satellite breakup debris, astronauts did an emergency drill on the International Space Station.
The crew aboard ISS conducted the very vital emergency drill in coordination with mission controllers on Earth.
Procedures in case of pressure leaks, chemical leaks, or fires were the subject matter of the exercise that saw participation from all nine astronauts aboard the space station.
Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams were the other two crew members involved in some highly required maintenance activities.
They did some critical life support work, replacing temperature loops with water in the Tranquility module’s internal thermal control system. The astronauts also reviewed procedures for the Fluid Systems Servicer, a key tool in managing fluids for a variety of station systems.
Wilmore was tasked with refilling coolant loops in the Columbus module’s water pump assembly, while both astronauts conducted exercise sessions to measure their aerobic capacity using special sensors.
But the activities of the duo also included some scientific research. Wilmore serviced research freezers used for keeping scientific samples cold, while Williams installed hardware for an experiment studying atmospheric reentry and thermal protection systems.
“I have a real good feeling in my heart that this spacecraft will bring us home, no problem,” said NASA astronaut Sunita “Suni” Williams during the first news conference from the test crew since its docking to the ISS over a month ago.
Several issues with Starliner’s propulsion system have extended their mission indefinitely. Five of Starliner’s 28 maneuvering thrusters failed during its journey to the station. Also, a propellant valve did not close properly and there were five helium leaks that are used to pressurize the thrusters.
It’s the final run by Boeing before the spacecraft can clinch Nasa certification for routine astronaut flights, becoming the second US orbital capsule alongside SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, which has dominated the nascent human spaceflight market amid Starliner’s development delays.
