Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
Boeing Starliner spacecraft made history by becoming the first vehicle to launch with a crew but return to Earth without them. The spacecraft landed safely on Saturday following its mission.
The Starliner launched on June 5, 2024, as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, carrying astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore to the International Space Station (ISS). The mission aimed to demonstrate the Starliner’s capability to safely transport astronauts.
Shortly after docking at the ISS, technical issues were identified, including helium leaks and problems with the spacecraft’s reaction control thrusters. These issues raised concerns about the spacecraft’s safety.
Due to these concerns, NASA opted to return the Starliner to Earth without its crew. This decision was made to prioritize astronaut safety, with the crew remaining aboard the ISS.
The spacecraft autonomously undocked from the ISS on Saturday, September 7, at 3:34 a.m. IST and landed at White Sands Space Harbor, New Mexico, approximately six hours later. This marked another successful uncrewed landing for the Starliner.
Williams and Wilmore will remain on the ISS as part of the Expedition 71/72 crew. Their return to Earth is now scheduled for February 2025 aboard SpaceX’s Dragon capsule as part of the Crew-9 mission.
Due to the unexpected situation, NASA and SpaceX have reconfigured the upcoming Crew-9 mission to accommodate the return of Williams and Wilmore after their extended stay on the ISS.
This incident highlights the complexities and risks of human spaceflight, especially as private companies like Boeing and SpaceX take on significant roles in space exploration.
NASA and Boeing will analyze the data gathered from Starliner’s undocking, reentry, and landing to assess the spacecraft’s performance. The outcome of this mission could influence Boeing’s future role in NASA’s Commercial Crew Program and the wider commercial space industry.