In a significant development following a series of technical challenges, Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft is set to undock from the International Space Station on Friday and return to Earth without any astronauts onboard, NASA announced on Wednesday.
The decision to bring the spacecraft back without its crew comes after persistent issues with the spacecraft’s thrusters and helium leaks in its propulsion system, which arose during its inaugural crewed mission in June. Despite these setbacks, NASA and Boeing remain optimistic about the return journey, which will provide crucial data for future improvements to the spacecraft.
The Starliner, which initially launched on June 5 with NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, encountered significant problems as it approached the space station, including malfunctioning thrusters and helium leaks. These issues necessitated an extended stay for the astronauts at the ISS while ground engineers worked to address the problems. Ultimately, NASA decided to prioritize safety and opted for the Starliner to return to Earth without its crew, while Wilmore and Williams will return home aboard a SpaceX capsule in February 2025.
Read also: NASA shifts Starliner astronauts to SpaceX Crew Dragon after technical setbacks
The uncrewed return is part of a critical test mission aimed at demonstrating Boeing’s capability to transport astronauts reliably to and from the space station. The spacecraft is scheduled to depart the ISS at approximately 6:04 p.m. ET on Friday and is expected to land at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico shortly after midnight on Saturday. The return journey will take about six hours and will involve a de-orbit burn followed by the deployment of parachutes and airbags to ensure a safe landing.
NASA’s decision reflects the agency’s commitment to safety, with NASA Administrator Bill Nelson emphasizing that “spaceflight is risky, even at its safest and most routine. A test flight, by nature, is neither safe, nor routine.” The return of the Starliner will provide valuable insights and data, which will be crucial for future corrective actions and the eventual certification of the spacecraft for regular crewed missions.
Reported by CNN
