It is still unclear when the Starliner space capsule can return from the International Space Station to Earth. NASA says engineers will need “a few more weeks” to investigate problems with Boeing’s capsule engines.

Due to the problems, the return was postponed until further notice last Saturday. Ground tests are now scheduled in New Mexico to test the same Starliner engines currently in space.

The Starliner spacecraft departed for the International Space Station at the beginning of this month, carrying two experienced NASA astronauts: Barry Wilmore (61 years old) and Sunita Williams (58 years old). This was the first time that a spacecraft was launched with people on board. Tests have previously been conducted using on-board dummies.

Wilmore and Williams managed to dock the Starliner to the ISS a few days later. It wasn’t without problems. A small helium leak was found. This material is important for the fuel lines for the thrusters.

There are still issues with multiple payment devices, making returns impossible at the moment.

The plan was for the astronauts to stay on the International Space Station for at least eight days and then return aboard the Starliner ship.

Previous uncrewed tests with Starliner also did not go smoothly. During the last test flight, in 2022, problems were also discovered with the thrusters. The spacecraft successfully returned to Earth.

Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft is supposed to become the second American spacecraft on which NASA can transport astronauts to the International Space Station, in addition to SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft. Astronauts also go to the International Space Station aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft.

Thanks to commercial initiatives by SpaceX and Boeing, NASA no longer relies on Russian Soyuz capsules. NASA is also working on its own capsule called Orion.