Boeing Starliner to return to Earth today: Will astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore come back?

The Boeing Starliner spacecraft is set to make its journey back to Earth from the International Space Station (ISS) this Friday. The uncrewed capsule will depart from the ISS, leaving behind its crew members, NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, who will continue their mission on the orbital outpost.

Despite the spacecraft's earlier technical challenges, both NASA and Boeing express confidence in a successful return, although not confident enough to have the astronauts onboard for this particular trip.

Steve Stich, NASA's commercial crew program manager, conveyed optimism during a recent briefing, stating, “We have confidence in the vehicle. It’s been a journey to get here, and we’re excited to have Starliner undock and return”, as quoted in a report by USA Today.


Nevertheless, NASA made the cautious decision to keep the astronauts on the ISS, prioritizing their safety by planning their return on a SpaceX craft next year.

Undocking and Landing Details

The Boeing Starliner is scheduled to undock from the ISS at 6:04 p.m. EDT on Friday. The spacecraft will autonomously navigate away from the ISS and commence its descent toward Earth.

The landing is expected to occur at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico around 12:03 a.m. on Saturday. The descent will be slowed by parachutes, ensuring a safe touchdown in the desert, as per a report by USA Today.

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Should weather conditions or technical difficulties arise, the mission could be postponed, with alternative return dates set for September 10, 14, or 18, according to NASA. The mission, which has faced numerous delays and technical hurdles, is now in its final phase as the spacecraft prepares for re-entry.

How to Watch Starliner’s Return

NASA will provide live coverage of the Starliner’s return journey. For those interested in witnessing the event, NASA’s new streaming service, NASA+, will broadcast the undocking and landing.

Additionally, coverage can be followed on the NASA app, the agency’s website, and its YouTube channel. The livestream is set to begin at 5:45 p.m. EDT on Friday, with a brief pause after undocking. Coverage will resume at approximately 10:50 p.m. for the spacecraft’s deorbit burn, atmospheric entry, and landing.

If all goes according to plan, a post-landing news conference will be held at around 1:30 a.m. on Saturday, providing further details on the mission and its outcomes.

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Future Prospects for Starliner and Crew

Williams and Wilmore, who arrived at the ISS on June 6 for what was initially planned as a 10-day mission, will now spend a total of eight months in orbit. The decision to extend their stay was made following issues with Starliner’s propulsion system and helium leaks, which surfaced shortly after the spacecraft’s arrival at the ISS.

The SpaceX Dragon craft is scheduled to return the astronauts to Earth in February 2024. Meanwhile, the upcoming Crew-9 mission, slated for launch on September 24, will accommodate only two astronauts to make room for the returning Starliner crew.

Boeing’s spacesuits, worn by Williams and Wilmore during their journey to orbit, will be brought back with Starliner, while the astronauts will don SpaceX suits for their return.

FAQs:

What is Boeing Starliner used for?
The Boeing Starliner, also known as CST-100, is a spacecraft developed to carry crew to and from the International Space Station (ISS) and other low-Earth orbit locations.

How does Starliner land on Earth?
When the Starliner re-enters Earth's atmosphere, the forward heatshield at the top of the spacecraft is jettisoned at 30,000 feet. This action reveals the two drogue chutes and three main parachutes, which are then deployed.