After months of safety concerns, Boeing’s Starliner capsule has returned to Earth without its intended crew. The capsule landed safely at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico at approximately 0401 GMT, using parachutes and airbags to cushion its descent.
The return marks the end of a tumultuous period for Boeing’s Starliner, which departed the International Space Station (ISS) on September 6, 2024, after being deemed too risky for a crewed re-entry by NASA. The capsule undocked from the ISS, 260 miles (420 kilometers) above China, six hours prior to its nighttime touchdown.
NASA’s two test pilots, Sunitha Williams and Butch Wilmore, who were originally scheduled to return on the Starliner in June, remained aboard the space station. Their return was delayed due to thruster failures and helium leaks that marred their trip to the ISS. Consequently, NASA opted for a fully automated return of the Starliner with its empty seats and blue spacesuits, along with some old station equipment.
Williams, who monitored the capsule’s departure, radioed, “She’s on her way home,” as the Starliner exited. The astronauts will now rely on SpaceX to bring them back to Earth in late February 2025, extending their original eight-day mission to over eight months.
This latest development adds another chapter to Boeing’s ongoing challenges with the Starliner program, underscoring the complexities and risks involved in space travel and capsule safety.
