NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have completed the final preparations for the return of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft from the International Space Station. The duo closed the hatch on the spacecraft on Thursday, signifying the end of their mission aboard the orbiting laboratory.
The Starliner is scheduled to undock from the ISS at 6:04 pm EDT on Friday, September 6th, and is expected to land in New Mexico approximately six hours later. Mission managers have authorized the undocking, marking a significant milestone in the Starliner’s first operational mission.
Before closing the hatch, Williams and Wilmore diligently packed the Starliner with cargo and configured its cabin for the return journey. This involved ensuring all necessary equipment and supplies were properly stowed and the spacecraft was ready for its descent back to Earth.
NASA will provide live coverage of the Starliner’s departure from the ISS, beginning at 5:45 pm ET on Friday. You can watch the event on NASA+, the NASA app, YouTube, and the agency’s website. This historic event marks a crucial step in the development of commercial space travel and highlights the continued collaboration between NASA and private companies like Boeing.
