Additional Coverage:
**Boeing’s Starliner Heads Back to Earth Solo**
Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft has departed the International Space Station and is on its way back to Earth, set to land in the New Mexico desert.
NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore watched from the space station as Starliner, which brought them to the ISS in June, left autonomously. Two weeks ago, NASA decided against using Starliner to return the astronauts to Earth due to reliability concerns with the troubled capsule. Instead, Williams and Wilmore will stay on the ISS until February, returning on a SpaceX vehicle.
“OK, she’s on her way home,” Williams said during the livestream of the undocking ceremony. “Congratulations to the undock team.”
NASA officials are confident in Starliner’s safe landing, which is expected to take a few hours, culminating in a parachute-assisted touchdown early Saturday. Steve Stich, manager of NASA’s commercial crew program, expressed optimism about the return, stating, “We have confidence in the vehicle. It’s been a journey to get here, and we’re excited to have Starliner undock and return.”
**Starliner Leaves the Space Station**
At 6:04 p.m. ET, the uncrewed Starliner spacecraft successfully undocked from the ISS in a five-minute process broadcast live by NASA.
By 6:11 p.m. ET, Starliner had completed 12 breakaway burn firings, exiting the ISS’s Keep Out Sphere as planned.
The spacecraft will descend into the Earth’s atmosphere, passing over the Pacific Ocean and Baja California, before landing at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico around 12:03 a.m. Saturday.
**Boeing Faces Further Challenges for Certification**
The anticipated landing marks the end of Starliner’s first crewed test flight, which faced numerous issues before and during its mission. Delays postponed the launch to June 5, and subsequent helium leaks and propulsion problems arose once the capsule reached orbit.
Boeing hopes a successful mission will lead to NASA certification, allowing Starliner to join SpaceX in routine orbital missions. However, Boeing will need to conduct additional ground tests and make modifications to ensure the capsule’s reliability.
Since 2020, SpaceX’s Dragon has successfully carried astronauts and supplies to the ISS. NASA’s investment in Boeing and SpaceX is part of a strategy to partner with private companies for space missions to reduce costs.
**Williams and Wilmore’s Extended Stay**
Williams and Wilmore will remain on the ISS until February, significantly longer than the originally planned 10 days. They are scheduled to return on a SpaceX Dragon vehicle, which will launch on September 24, carrying two astronauts instead of the usual four to make room for the returning duo.
NASA has assured that the astronauts are prepared for the extended mission. The Boeing spacesuits used by Williams and Wilmore will return with Starliner, while SpaceX suits will be ready for their return trip.
During their extended stay, Williams and Wilmore will continue to assist with scientific experiments and routine maintenance as part of Expedition 71.