The Boeing Starliner spacecraft is set to return to Earth on September 7, after an uncrewed mission in space. The spacecraft will autonomously return to New Mexico, without the crew that launched it into space in June. NASA announced that flight controllers at Starliner Mission Control in Houston and Boeing Mission Control Center in Florida will guide the spacecraft's return.
Following its undocking from the International Space Station, the Starliner will take approximately six hours to reach the landing zone at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico, with a scheduled touchdown at midnight on September 7. Recovery teams will then prepare the spacecraft for its return to Boeing's Starliner factory at NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida.
The decision to bring back the Starliner uncrewed came after NASA deemed it unsuitable for transporting astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore back to Earth. Williams and Wilmore have been on the ISS since the Starliner docked there on June 6. Their mission, aimed at testing the spacecraft's capabilities for commercial space travel, was initially planned to last between eight and 10 days but faced delays due to issues with the aircraft's thrusters.
During their time on the ISS, Williams and Wilmore have been actively involved in various activities, including conducting tests on the Starliner, performing science experiments, and assisting with maintenance tasks. Their return to Earth is now rescheduled for February 2025 via the SpaceX Crew Dragon.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson emphasized the importance of safety in spaceflight during a press conference at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. He highlighted the inherent risks associated with test flights and the commitment to prioritizing safety, leading to the decision to keep the astronauts on the ISS while bringing the Starliner back uncrewed.
Representatives for NASA were not available for immediate comment outside regular business hours.
