NASA
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gettyimages.comStarliner is Back to Earth
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Boeing's Starliner spacecraft successfully returned to Earth on September 6, 2024, landing safely in New Mexico after completing its Crew Flight Test mission to the International Space Station. However, as reported by NASA, the capsule returned without its intended crew due to technical issues encountered during the mission, marking both a milestone and a setback for Boeing's space program.
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Boeing's troubled Starliner makes safe return to Earth, after leaving ...
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Boeing's Starliner capsule just landed with no crew aboard. What's next for this astronaut taxi?
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Starliner Crew Flight Test
Boeing Crew Flight Test
First crewed mission of Boeing Starliner
Anadolu
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gettyimages.comThe Crew Flight Test (CFT) mission, which began on June 5, 2024, marked Starliner's first crewed flight to the International Space Station (ISS)
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. NASA astronauts Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Sunita "Suni" Williams launched aboard the spacecraft for what was initially planned as a one-week stay2
. However, the mission was extended to three months due to technical issues, allowing NASA and Boeing to conduct extensive testing and analysis of the spacecraft's performance3
.3 sources
Technical Challenges Faced
During the mission, Starliner encountered several technical challenges that ultimately led to NASA's decision to bring the spacecraft back without its crew. Five of the 28 reaction control system (RCS) thrusters failed shortly after liftoff, causing issues during the initial docking attempt with the ISS
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. Additionally, multiple helium leaks were discovered in the service module's propulsion pressurization system3
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. These problems prompted NASA to extend the mission duration, allowing for thorough analysis and troubleshooting. Despite efforts to resolve the issues, including bringing four of the five faulty thrusters back online, NASA ultimately determined that returning the astronauts on Starliner posed an unacceptable safety risk5
.5 sources
Uncrewed Return Success
NASA
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gettyimages.comThe uncrewed return of Starliner demonstrated the spacecraft's ability to perform critical maneuvers autonomously. After undocking from the ISS at 6:04 p.m. EDT on September 6, Starliner executed a 59-second deorbit burn at 11:17 p.m., successfully reentering Earth's atmosphere
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. The capsule touched down at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico at 12:01 a.m. EDT on September 7, using parachutes and airbags for a soft landing3
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. Despite earlier concerns about thruster issues and helium leaks, the spacecraft performed well during its descent and landing, with NASA describing the touchdown as a "bullseye"5
.5 sources
Future Starliner Missions
Boeing Starliner
Partially reusable spacecraft for crew transportation to the International Space Station and low-Earth-orbit destinations
The next steps for the Starliner program remain uncertain as NASA and Boeing review data from the Crew Flight Test mission. Starliner-1, the first operational crewed flight, has been pushed back from February 2025 to August 2025 at the earliest
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. However, this timeline may be further delayed as engineers work to address the technical issues encountered during the test flight. NASA has not ruled out the possibility of requiring additional tests or even another uncrewed flight before certifying Starliner for regular astronaut transport to the ISS2
. The agency emphasizes the importance of having multiple crew launch systems and maintains its commitment to the Boeing partnership, despite the setbacks3
.3 sources
Related
What are the next steps for Boeing and NASA after the Starliner's crewed flight test
When can we expect the first operational crewed flight of the Starliner
How will the data from this flight test be used to improve future missions
What are the potential challenges for the Starliner's upcoming missions
How does the Starliner's performance compare to other spacecraft like SpaceX Dragon
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