Boeing’s Starliner Returns to Earth Empty After Months-Long Delay

Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft completed a crucial uncrewed return to Earth late on Friday after an extended, problem-plagued mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Initially slated for a nine-day mission, the capsule instead spent nearly three months at the ISS due to technical issues, including propulsion system malfunctions. These challenges forced NASA to keep the two test astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, on the ISS while the capsule made its autonomous journey back to Earth.

The Starliner capsule undocked from the ISS at 6:04 p.m. ET Friday and took approximately six hours to touch down at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico. The landing was closely monitored and deemed successful, despite the fact that the thrusters that had shown problematic behavior were not on board, having detached as part of the service module which burned up in the atmosphere during reentry.

This mission was a critical final test flight for Starliner before obtaining NASA’s certification for routine missions. However, due to safety concerns around its propulsion system, NASA decided not to risk a crewed descent in the capsule. Instead, astronauts Wilmore and Williams will be returning to Earth aboard SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft in February 2025. The delay has turned what was supposed to be an eight-day mission into an almost eight-month stay at the ISS for the astronauts.

The thruster issues with Starliner have cost Boeing approximately $125 million and contributed to total cost overruns of over $1.6 billion since the program began in 2016. The recurring technical problems have cast doubt on Boeing's future in NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, a project designed to foster competition between Boeing and SpaceX for ISS missions. SpaceX has been handling the bulk of NASA’s crewed missions, providing safer and more reliable transportation options.

Boeing plans to continue troubleshooting the propulsion system failures. The thrusters that malfunctioned will be simulated with tests on Earth, as their physical remains were destroyed during the return. Despite these setbacks, Boeing remains committed to resolving the technical issues and restoring confidence in Starliner’s capabilities to meet NASA’s stringent safety standards.

Lastly, as NASA and Boeing navigate these challenges, the stakes are higher than ever, not just for Boeing's position in the Commercial Crew Program, but for NASA's broader goals in commercial space partnerships. The delays and technical difficulties underscore the complexities of space exploration and the importance of reliable technology in these high-stakes missions.