Boeing’s Starliner capsule, which has encountered numerous issues, has successfully made its way back to Earth, while two astronauts remain stationed on the International Space Station (ISS).
The spacecraft – operating autonomously – descended via parachute into the New Mexico desert six hours post-launch.
Footage captured the capsule appearing as a luminous streak as it approached for landing at 11:01 PM local time (5:01 AM UK time on Saturday), eliciting applause from Boeing’s Mission Control.
NASA deemed it too perilous for Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to reboard the spacecraft.
This means they will stay aboard the ISS until February, over eight months after launching on what was anticipated to be a brief mission of just eight days.
Immediately following Boeing’s repeatedly delayed capsule’s launch into orbit in June, several complications were identified before it reached the space station, including multiple thruster malfunctions and helium leaks in the propulsion system.
The Starliner spacecraft landed uncrewed at White Sands, New Mexico. Pic: AP/Nasa
The capsule was examined post-landing. Pic: AP/Nasa
Boeing conducted exhaustive thruster assessments in both space and on land, asserting that the craft could safely reunite with the astronauts.
However, NASA expressed a differing view, opting to leave them aboard the station.
Starliner experienced some difficulties during reentry, including additional thruster complications, yet it achieved a “bull’s-eye landing,” according to NASA’s commercial crew program director, Steve Stich.
Astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore aboard the International Space Station. Pic: AP/Nasa
Starliner undocked from the International Space Station. Pic: AP/Nasa
Boeing has faced multiple challenges since entering into a $4 billion (£3 billion) contract with NASA a decade prior, aimed at transporting astronauts to and from outer space.
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The initial test flight conducted without a crew in 2019 encountered a multitude of issues, necessitating a repeat in 2022, during which even more deficiencies emerged, resulting in repair costs exceeding $1 billion (£0.76 billion).
In contrast, SpaceX’s crew transport flight scheduled for later this month will mark its tenth operation for NASA since 2020.
Its Dragon capsule will launch with only two astronauts rather than four, as two positions are reserved for Wilmore and Williams for their return journey.
Starliner will be returned to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, where a thorough examination will be conducted to identify the underlying issues.
NASA officials emphasized the organization’s commitment to having two competitive US companies engaged in astronaut transport.
The objective is for SpaceX and Boeing to alternate in launching crews – one each year for both companies – until the space station is decommissioned in 2030, just ahead of its fiery reentry.
This limited timeframe presents a challenge for Boeing to make up lost ground, but the company is determined to advance with Starliner, as affirmed by NASA.
