Boeing’s beleaguered Starliner spacecraft has finally returned to Earth, marking the end of a disappointing test flight that was plagued by technical issues. The capsule touched down in New Mexico at 12 am (local time) on Friday, bringing to a close a mission that had been marred by concerns over thruster problems and multiple helium leaks.
Despite these challenges, the spacecraft successfully undocked from the International Space Station at 6:04 pm (EDT) and performed a crucial 59-second deorbit braking maneuver at 11:17 pm (local time) to bring itself back into Earth’s atmosphere. This successful maneuver was a critical step in the mission, demonstrating the spacecraft’s ability to safely return to Earth.
The Starliner’s return to Earth comes after a series of setbacks that have plagued the program. In 2019, a test flight of the spacecraft failed to reach its intended orbit due to a software error. This latest test flight was intended to demonstrate the spacecraft’s reliability and readiness for crewed missions. While the landing was a success, the numerous technical issues experienced during the mission raise concerns about the spacecraft’s reliability and could potentially delay NASA’s plans to use Starliner for future crewed missions.
