Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft recently undocked from the International Space Station (ISS) after several months of delay. Originally, the spacecraft was supposed to depart with two astronauts on board, but they will now stay at the ISS for the rest of the year and return to Earth in February using SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft.
The undocking process had to be adjusted since there were no astronauts on board to take manual control if necessary. This decision was made to protect the ISS. Despite this change, NASA officials expressed confidence in the mission’s success, with astronaut Suni Williams telling mission controllers, “We have your backs, and you’ve got this.”
The return journey for the Starliner capsule is expected to take about six hours, with a landing zone at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico. NASA mentioned that the capsule could be visible from parts of western Mexico and the Southwestern United States before landing.
The Starliner’s return marks the end of a test flight that lasted longer than anticipated. The spacecraft spent around three months at the ISS, during which Boeing investigated an issue with its thrusters. Despite the delays, Boeing officials reassured the public that the spacecraft was safe for the astronauts to fly home in an emergency situation.
However, NASA ultimately decided to send the Starliner back empty to gather more data and understand the root causes behind the spacecraft’s issues. This decision has set Boeing’s progress in NASA’s Commercial Crew Program back and could potentially impact its future involvement in the program. The company has already absorbed over $1.5 billion in losses.
The Starliner’s test flight was a crucial step for Boeing and NASA, as they aimed to have two companies, Boeing and Elon Musk’s SpaceX, capable of flying alternating missions to the ISS. With the setbacks faced by the Starliner, Boeing’s future participation in the program may be at risk.
Overall, the Starliner’s delayed return and its subsequent empty journey back to Earth highlight the challenges and complexities involved in space exploration. NASA and its industry partners continue to push the boundaries of human spaceflight, but setbacks and obstacles are an inevitable part of the process. By addressing the root causes of the Starliner’s issues, NASA and Boeing can work together to improve future missions and ensure the safety of astronauts in space.
