Boeing Starliner to Return Empty in September, Astronauts Remain Stranded in Space
WASHINGTON, D.C. – After spending approximately 12 weeksin orbit, Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft is scheduled to return to Earth on September 6th, but without its two-person crew. The astronauts willremain aboard the International Space Station (ISS) until at least 2025.
The unmanned Starliner will detach from the ISS on September 6th at approximately 6:00 PM EDT and land at the White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico around midnight. NASA has confirmed that the spacecraft will execute a fully autonomous return journey, although ground teams will be available to remotely command necessarymaneuvers for a safe separation and parachute-assisted landing in the southwestern United States.
The two American astronauts, originally slated to return on June 14th, will remain on the ISS for an extended stay. Their mission, initially plannedfor eight days, has been stretched to approximately eight months due to a series of issues encountered by the Starliner, including thruster malfunctions and a helium leak. They are expected to return to Earth in February 2025 aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft.
This situation represents a significant setback for Boeing, adding tothe company’s ongoing struggles with aircraft safety concerns. The Starliner’s performance on this return journey will be crucial for Boeing’s future in human spaceflight. A mishap or a decision by NASA to not certify the spacecraft for human missions would further damage Boeing’s already tarnished reputation.
The Starliner’s development has been plagued by technical glitches, including software failures and valve problems. Its path to obtaining NASA certification has been fraught with uncertainty.
In 2014, NASA selected Boeing and SpaceX to develop spacecraft capable of transporting astronauts to and from the ISS. Under a fixed-price contract, NASA agreedto pay Boeing up to $4.2 billion to develop the Starliner, with the expectation of one flight per year carrying four crew members to orbit.
The Starliner’s return without its crew highlights the challenges faced by Boeing in its efforts to regain its footing in the human spaceflight arena. The company’s ability to overcome these challenges and secure NASA certification for the Starliner will be crucial for its future success in this sector.
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