NASA: Boeing’s Starliner to Return Uncrewed to Earth on Sept. 6

NASA announced that Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, which has faced several technical challenges, is on track for an uncrewed return to Earth next week. Importantly, this mission will occur without the astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who are currently awaiting their return.

As per NASA’s announcement, a comprehensive review of the Delta-Flight Test Readiness was completed on Thursday. This review confirmed that Starliner is prepared to undock from the International Space Station, with the operation scheduled to commence no earlier than 6:04 p.m. EDT on Friday, September 6, subject to favorable weather and operational conditions.

Once undocked, the Starliner spacecraft is expected to make its descent to the New Mexico landing zone at White Sands Space Harbor, with a touchdown anticipated around 12:03 a.m. EDT on Saturday, September 7. NASA noted that this uncrewed return will be carried out autonomously, with flight controllers stationed at both the Starliner Mission Control in Houston and the Boeing Mission Control Center in Florida.

The ground teams will have the capability to remotely guide Starliner through any necessary maneuvers, ensuring a safe undocking, re-entry, and parachute-assisted landing in the southwestern United States.

NASA recently made the decision on August 24 to proceed with the uncrewed return rather than having astronauts on board. They have confirmed that a SpaceX mission will be responsible for returning Wilmore and Williams to Earth.

During a televised news conference, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson emphasized that the two astronauts are scheduled to return with SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission, which is set for February next year. Due to this arrangement, that mission will initially include only two crew members instead of the usual four, allowing space for the returning astronauts.

Wilmore and Williams have been aboard the International Space Station since June, with their initial mission planned for just one week. Should they return as expected on February 22, they will have completed at least 262 days in orbit.

The Starliner program has encountered numerous setbacks and technical difficulties, including issues such as helium leaks and propulsion malfunctions affecting its thrusters. Notably, five thrusters had a malfunction during the approach to the space station when Wilmore and Williams docked.

Boeing acknowledged the challenges, stating that they are committed to executing the mission as designated by NASA while ensuring a safe and successful uncrewed return of the Starliner spacecraft.