In a highly anticipated moment for space exploration, Boeing's Starliner spacecraft is set to make its return journey to Earth in the early hours of Saturday, September 7, 2024. This uncrewed return is particularly significant as it marks the end of Starliner’s mission to the International Space Station (ISS) following several months of technical challenges. The mission was originally launched on June 5, 2024, carrying NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, but the spacecraft will be returning without them due to ongoing concerns about its reliability.
The Starliner Mission: A Brief Recap
Boeing's Starliner made its journey to the ISS on June 5, 2024, with astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore on board. The mission was part of Boeing's broader effort to demonstrate the spacecraft’s capability to safely transport astronauts to and from the ISS. However, technical issues arose shortly after the spacecraft arrived at the orbiting laboratory, including helium leaks and problems with the spacecraft's reaction control thrusters.
These issues led to NASA and Boeing postponing the return flight, prioritizing astronaut safety above all. NASA made the decision to have Starliner return uncrewed, ensuring that the spacecraft could be thoroughly evaluated before it’s deemed safe for future crewed missions.
Timeline for Starliner’s Return to Earth
Starliner’s return journey is scheduled to begin with its undocking from the ISS on Friday, September 6, 2024, at 6:04 pm EDT (3:30 am IST on Saturday, September 7). NASA will conduct a "Go/No Go" poll approximately 45 minutes prior to the undocking to confirm that all systems are functioning properly and that the spacecraft is ready for its journey back to Earth. The live stream of the undocking will begin at 3:15 am IST.
After detaching from the ISS, Starliner will take about six hours to reach its landing site at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico. The spacecraft is expected to touch down at approximately 12:03 am EDT (9:30 am IST) on Saturday, September 7. Live streaming of the landing is scheduled to start at 8:20 am IST.
What to Expect During Starliner’s Return
The return journey for Starliner will be a carefully choreographed process. Once the spacecraft’s docking mechanism disengages from the ISS, it will gradually drift away from the station. Boeing explained that a flyaround inspection will follow, after which Starliner will perform a series of burns to ensure it is safely distanced from the ISS and properly aligned for its deorbit.
As the spacecraft re-enters Earth's atmosphere, several critical systems will activate. The heat shields, designed to protect Starliner from the intense heat of re-entry, will be jettisoned. Following this, parachutes will deploy to slow the spacecraft's descent, and airbags will inflate to cushion the final impact. This sequence of events will culminate in a gentle touchdown on solid ground, a first for an American orbital capsule.
Boeing has emphasized that Starliner is specifically engineered to handle the rigors of re-entry, landing, and post-flight conditions, with robust systems designed to ensure its successful recovery. The company has expressed confidence in the spacecraft’s ability to complete this mission and prove its value for future crewed flights.
What's Next for Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore?
Although Starliner is returning to Earth, astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore will remain aboard the ISS for several more months. The two astronauts, who launched aboard Starliner on June 5, 2024, were originally slated to return on the same spacecraft. However, due to the technical challenges encountered, NASA has made alternative arrangements for their return.
Williams and Wilmore are now scheduled to come back to Earth in February 2025 aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. This shift in return plans underscores the importance of flexibility in space missions, as NASA continues to prioritize astronaut safety and mission success above all else.
The Bigger Picture for Boeing and NASA
The Starliner mission is a critical component of NASA’s broader Commercial Crew Program, which aims to develop safe and reliable transportation for astronauts to and from the ISS. While SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft has already successfully completed several crewed missions, Boeing's Starliner represents another key option for NASA as it looks to diversify its capabilities in human spaceflight.
Despite the setbacks encountered during this mission, both NASA and Boeing are committed to resolving the technical issues and ensuring that Starliner is ready for future crewed flights. The upcoming uncrewed return will be a valuable opportunity to gather data, refine systems, and pave the way for continued collaboration between NASA and private industry in space exploration.
As we look ahead, the lessons learned from Starliner’s journey will contribute to the ongoing efforts to push the boundaries of human space exploration. Whether it's improving spacecraft design, enhancing safety protocols, or ensuring successful missions, the challenges faced and overcome today will shape the future of space travel for years to come.