Tonight, September 6th, NASA and Boeing will attempt to bring an empty Starliner spacecraft back to Earth. This mission concludes NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test, the first attempt to carry astronauts into space using the Starliner capsule. However, the test flight will end without the crew initially onboard, a significant setback for the program.
The uncrewed Starliner is scheduled to detach from the International Space Station (ISS) at 6:04 p.m. EDT (2204 GMT) for a six-hour journey that should conclude at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico just after midnight EDT. NASA will livestream the undocking phase beginning at 5:45 p.m. EDT (2145 GMT) and Starliner’s landing starting at 10:50 p.m. EDT (0250 GMT on Sept. 7). You can watch the livestreams on NASA’s website.
The decision to return Starliner without its crew was made after the spacecraft experienced several unexpected issues during its mission. These issues included multiple helium leaks and thruster malfunctions, raising concerns about the safety of returning astronauts on the vehicle. Originally, NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams were expected to stay aboard the ISS for as few as eight days before returning home on Starliner. However, attempts to resolve the spacecraft’s problems dragged on for months, leading to the decision to bring Starliner back uncrewed.
While the spacecraft experienced significant challenges, the landing is still a crucial step for Boeing and NASA. The landing will provide valuable data for engineers to analyze and address the issues encountered. Boeing and NASA will continue to work together to assess Starliner’s issues after the landing, but no further crewed flights have been planned at this time.
After detaching from the ISS, Starliner will perform a series of engine burns to position itself for reentry into Earth’s atmosphere. Once approved, Starliner will perform a deorbit burn, lasting roughly 60 seconds, to slow the spacecraft enough to enter Earth’s atmosphere and guide it towards the landing target. On the way down, Starliner will jettison its service module and heat shields, allowing the spacecraft to deploy parachutes and inflatable landing bags. By the time it touches down in the New Mexico desert, Starliner should be moving only about 4 mph (6.4 km/h), according to NASA. Starliner is the first U.S.-made space capsule designed to touch down on land rather than in the ocean.
Despite the setback, the mission represents a significant milestone for both Boeing and NASA. The Starliner program has faced numerous challenges and setbacks, with Boeing spending an estimated $1.6 billion to address various issues. The success of this landing, even without a crew, will provide valuable data for future missions and demonstrate the continued commitment of both organizations to the advancement of human spaceflight.
