Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft has reportedly returned to Earth, but without the astronauts it was meant to carry. According to a BBC report, the capsule completed its autonomous journey after undocking from the International Space Station (ISS) on Friday. NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are still on the ISS as their stay has extended from the planned eight days to eight months.
The decision to leave the astronauts behind was reportedly made due to technical issues that arose shortly after the Starliner’s launch in June. The spacecraft experienced helium leaks and thruster malfunctions, making NASA consider it unsafe for the return trip. As a result, Wilmore and Williams will instead return to Earth aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon in February 2025.
The Starliner landed safely at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico after a six-hour flight. NASA officials expressed relief over the successful landing but were disappointed that the mission did not go as planned. This mission, which marks Boeing’s first crewed flight attempt, has faced numerous setbacks since its inception. The technical challenges have raised concerns about Boeing’s ability to meet future spaceflight commitments.
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