Today marked a significant milestone as two astronauts embarked on a journey to the International Space Station aboard the Starliner capsule. However, their return to Earth will be just as momentous as their launch.
Upon completing their eight-day mission on the space station, astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore are scheduled to return home in the Starliner capsule. While the earliest possible landing date is June 14, NASA officials have emphasized that this date is not set in stone.
Ken Bowersox, associate administrator for NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate, stated, 'We have to ensure that all conditions are optimal before bringing the Starliner home and achieving our test objectives.'
Unlike previous US spacecraft that have splashed down in the ocean, the Starliner capsule will make a groundbreaking landing on land. This decision was made to avoid the corrosive effects of seawater on spacecraft components and to simplify the crew recovery process.
There are five potential landing sites across the southwestern US, including locations in New Mexico, Utah, Arizona, and California. Boeing, the company behind the Starliner capsule, chose a land landing approach to streamline the recovery operations.
The innovative landing method of the Starliner capsule marks a new chapter in space exploration, showcasing advancements in spacecraft design and recovery procedures.
