The Boeing Starliner capsule is scheduled to make its return journey to Earth without a crew on Friday, September 6, 2024.
According to Deseret News, NASA has announced that the spacecraft will autonomously undock from the International Space Station (ISS) at approximately 8:04 p.m. MDT.
This uncrewed return marks a significant development in the Starliner's troubled mission, which began in early June. Originally planned as a week-long test flight, the mission has been extended due to various technical issues that have raised concerns about the spacecraft's safety for human transport.
NASA's decision to return the Starliner empty underscores the agency's commitment to astronaut safety and the need for further testing and improvements.
The Starliner's mission has been plagued by several technical issues since its launch. During the docking procedure at the ISS on June 6, five out of 28 maneuvering thrusters failed to perform as expected. Additionally, engineers identified five small helium leaks, some of which were detected before the spacecraft's launch.
These problems have prompted extensive investigations by both NASA and Boeing. Engineering teams have been working tirelessly to identify the root causes of the thruster malfunctions, reviewing vast amounts of data, conducting flight and ground tests, and developing contingency plans for the spacecraft's return.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson emphasized the agency's commitment to safety in the decision to return Starliner without a crew:
Spaceflight is risky, even at its safest and most routine. A test flight, by nature, is neither safe, nor routine. The decision to keep Butch and Suni aboard the International Space Station and bring Boeing's Starliner home uncrewed is the result of our commitment to safety: our core value and our North Star.
The Starliner capsule is designed for autonomous flight and has previously completed two uncrewed test flights. This capability has allowed NASA and Boeing to proceed with the return mission despite the absence of astronauts on board. Since the decision to send Starliner back empty, engineers have been working to update the spacecraft's systems for the autonomous return flight.
The need to vacate Starliner's dock at the ISS before late September, when the SpaceX Dragon Crew-9 flight is scheduled to arrive, has added urgency to the return mission. Steve Stich, manager of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, commented on the situation:
Starliner is a very capable spacecraft and, ultimately, this comes down to needing a higher level of certainty to perform a crewed return. The NASA and Boeing teams have completed a tremendous amount of testing and analysis, and this flight test is providing critical information on Starliner's performance in space.
The decision to return Starliner uncrewed has necessitated changes to upcoming missions. NASA has pushed back the launch of the SpaceX Crew 9 mission, originally scheduled for August 18, by more than a month. This delay allows for potential reconfiguration of the flight to accommodate the stranded Starliner crew.
The Crew 9 mission will now carry only two astronauts instead of the original four, making room for the return of Starliner's intended crew members, Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore. Additionally, the flight will transport necessary equipment to the ISS, including new spacesuits for Williams and Wilmore to use when they eventually join the Dragon crew.
These adjustments highlight the complex logistical challenges faced by NASA in managing crew rotations and ensuring continuous staffing of the International Space Station. The agency's flexibility in adapting to unforeseen circumstances demonstrates its commitment to maintaining a robust presence in low Earth orbit while prioritizing astronaut safety.
The Boeing Starliner capsule is set to return to Earth uncrewed on Friday, September 6, 2024, due to ongoing safety concerns. NASA's decision to prioritize safety over mission completion has led to significant changes in upcoming space station missions. The autonomous return flight will provide valuable data for future improvements to the Starliner program. As the space agency continues to navigate these challenges, the focus remains on ensuring safe and reliable transportation for astronauts to and from the International Space Station.
