Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft has successfully completed its test flight, landing in New Mexico just after midnight Eastern time on September 6, 2024. This milestone marks a significant achievement for both Boeing and NASA, concluding a mission that was fraught with challenges and uncertainties.
The Starliner capsule, which undocked from the International Space Station (ISS), touched down at the White Sands Missile Range. NASA provided video footage of the landing, showcasing the spacecraft’s return to Earth. However, the mission was not without its complications. NASA officials expressed concerns regarding the spacecraft’s thrusters, which had experienced malfunctions during its approach to the ISS. These issues raised alarms about the potential for further failures during the return journey.
In light of these concerns, the decision was made to return the Starliner uncrewed, carrying only cargo back to Earth. Steve Stich, the program manager for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, acknowledged the difficulty of this choice, stating, “Leaving them there was a tough decision to make.” Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, who had launched aboard the Starliner on June 5, will remain on the ISS until February 2025, as engineers worked to resolve the thruster issues.
The mission, initially planned for eight days, was extended to allow engineers to thoroughly investigate the thruster malfunctions. Dana Weigel, NASA’s program manager for the ISS, reassured the public that Wilmore and Williams were well-prepared for their extended stay, having undergone extensive long-duration space station training prior to the mission.
Looking ahead, the astronauts are scheduled to return to Earth on a SpaceX flight, with NASA having to adjust its plans to ensure that two seats would be available for them. Additionally, in case of an emergency requiring immediate evacuation, NASA has arranged for two extra seats on another SpaceX spacecraft currently docked at the ISS.
This successful test flight of the Boeing Starliner is a crucial step in NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, which aims to facilitate safe and reliable transportation to and from the ISS. As Boeing and NASA analyze the performance of the Starliner’s thrusters, the insights gained from this mission will be invaluable in ensuring the safety and success of future crewed flights.
