Boeing Starliner Returns to Earth, but Without Astronauts

Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft returned to Earth following an autonomous journey from the International Space Station (ISS), but without the astronauts it was meant to carry home. NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, originally scheduled to return aboard Starliner, remained at the ISS after technical issues raised safety concerns about the spacecraft.

The return flight took place on Saturday, with the capsule landing at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico, utilizing parachutes to slow its descent. NASA officials expressed satisfaction with the safe landing but acknowledged disappointment that the mission didn’t proceed as planned.

Starliner encountered problems shortly after launching from Cape Canaveral on June 5, 2024. Leaks in the helium system and malfunctioning thrusters left NASA engineers wary of risking a crewed re-entry. Following extensive discussions, NASA opted to keep the astronauts on the ISS and have them return to Earth aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon in February, extending their mission by several months.

NASA’s commercial crew program manager, Steve Stich, commented on the successful landing but recognized there was still work to do to ensure Starliner’s future reliability. Boeing has faced significant challenges with its spacecraft, including two previous uncrewed test flights in 2019 and 2022 that also encountered technical issues.

Tensions reportedly flared between NASA and Boeing during deliberations over Starliner’s safety, with Boeing arguing that the spacecraft could safely bring the astronauts home. NASA, however, was not convinced, citing concerns over Starliner’s systems. The spacecraft’s setbacks have delayed the astronauts’ return until SpaceX can send its next mission later this year.

Despite these challenges, NASA remains committed to Boeing’s involvement in its commercial spaceflight program, a key part of ensuring that the U.S. has multiple options for transporting astronauts to and from space. The agency awarded contracts to both Boeing and SpaceX in 2014, with the goal of ending reliance on Russia’s Soyuz spacecraft.

While SpaceX has completed nine crewed flights for NASA, this mission was Boeing’s first crewed attempt. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson has expressed confidence that Boeing’s Starliner will eventually complete successful crewed missions.