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Boeing Starliner successfully undocks from ISS, starting its return journey to Earth.
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Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore remain on ISS, will return on SpaceX Dragon in February 2025.
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Starliner’s uncrewed return tests its heat shield and parachute system.
The Boeing Starliner spacecraft has undocked from the International Space Station (ISS), marking a significant step in its return journey to Earth. The uncrewed mission will test the spacecraft’s heat shield and parachute system, crucial for a smooth landing.
NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who were originally scheduled to return on the Starliner, will instead remain on the ISS and return on a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft in February 2025. The decision was made due to concerns about the Starliner’s reliability after helium leaks and malfunctioning thrusters were detected during its approach to the ISS.
The Starliner is expected to land at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico, with a target landing time of 12:03 a.m. EDT on September 7. A post-landing news conference is scheduled for 1:30 a.m. EDT.
