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Boeing Starliner begins 6-hour uncrewed return journey to Earth after technical issues.
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NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams will remain on ISS, return on SpaceX Crew Dragon in February 2025.
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Starliner’s troubled flight is a significant setback for Boeing, but NASA remains committed to the program.
Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft is returning to Earth without its intended passengers, NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams. The uncrewed mission follows technical issues, including helium leaks and malfunctioning thrusters, which raised safety concerns. The spacecraft will land at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico after a six-hour journey.
Despite the challenges, NASA remains committed to the Starliner program, emphasizing the importance of having two American companies capable of transporting astronauts to space. Boeing and SpaceX were awarded contracts in 2014 to develop commercial spaceflight capabilities. While SpaceX has successfully completed nine crewed flights for NASA, this was Boeing’s first crewed mission, and the company faces months of post-flight analysis.
The delay in returning the astronauts extends their initial eight-day mission to eight months. NASA has reassured that Wilmore and Williams are in good spirits and adjusting well to the extended stay. The astronauts will return on a SpaceX Crew Dragon in February 2025.
