Boeing’s highly anticipated Starliner spacecraft is scheduled to touch down on Earth today, September 7, after a journey that has seen its fair share of challenges. The spacecraft, which had been docked with the International Space Station (ISS), has already departed and is expected to land in New Mexico after a six-hour journey.
The mission, initially planned as an eight-day test flight, was extended due to technical issues encountered by the spacecraft. These included helium leaks and malfunctions with the thrusters, leading NASA and Boeing to make the decision for an uncrewed return for safety reasons.
The Starliner launched on June 5, 2024, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, carrying astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore. While the spacecraft will be returning without them, the astronauts will remain on the ISS and are scheduled to return to Earth in February 2025 aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft as part of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission.
The Starliner mission was crucial for Boeing, serving as a demonstration of the company’s commercial space capsule’s capabilities to transport crews to the ISS. The landing is scheduled for around 12:30 am Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on Saturday, September 7, which translates to 9:30 am Indian Standard Time (IST).
The event can be viewed live on NASA’s official YouTube channel. Boeing Space also shared updates about the Starliner’s journey on its X account.
Prior to the departure, NASA held a press conference on September 4, 2024, focusing on the Starliner spacecraft’s return and its implications for the mission and the ISS. Key aspects discussed included the retrieval of cargo, such as reusable oxygen tanks, and potential risks during re-entry.
NASA and Boeing engineers assured that the spacecraft’s thrusters had undergone thorough testing, with 27 out of 28 functioning correctly. While the mission’s extension and uncrewed return were unexpected, it reflects the challenges inherent in space exploration and the importance of prioritizing safety. The landing of the Starliner is a significant milestone in Boeing’s space program and a testament to the ongoing efforts in developing commercial space travel.
