NAIROBI, Kenya- Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft made a successful landing in the New Mexico desert late Friday, capping off a test mission plagued by technical issues that delayed its crew’s return to Earth.
The uncrewed capsule autonomously undocked from the International Space Station (ISS) at 6:04 p.m. ET, beginning its six-hour journey back home—a key moment in the Starliner program’s turbulent journey to certification.
NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who were the first crew to fly Starliner to the ISS in June, remained aboard the space station after a series of propulsion issues forced NASA to deem the spacecraft’s thrusters too risky for a crewed return.
Starliner’s smooth, uncrewed return marked a win for Boeing, but the mission’s troubles have cast doubt on the capsule’s readiness for regular astronaut transport.
During its descent, the spacecraft re-entered Earth’s atmosphere at a blistering 17,000 miles per hour, deploying parachutes and airbags to ensure a soft touchdown at White Sands Space Harbor.
However, the mission—intended to be Starliner’s final test flight before NASA’s certification—had already been compromised by safety concerns that arose from malfunctioning thrusters during the spacecraft’s June approach to the ISS.
Wilmore and Williams, who had initially expected to stay on the ISS for just eight days, will now remain there until February 2025.
They will return to Earth aboard a SpaceX vehicle instead, stocked with extra food and supplies to sustain their extended mission.
Starliner’s troubles are far from new. During the June flight, five of the spacecraft’s 28 thrusters failed as it approached the ISS, and further issues were uncovered with helium leaks in the system.
While the spacecraft successfully docked, these malfunctions triggered a monthslong investigation by Boeing and NASA, costing the aerospace giant $125 million in additional expenses.
This isn’t the first time Boeing has faced setbacks with Starliner. The spacecraft failed a key 2019 test, requiring a re-do mission in 2022 that also experienced thruster malfunctions.
Boeing’s inability to fully resolve these issues has fueled skepticism over its role in space exploration, especially as SpaceX continues to dominate with more cost-effective, reliable missions for both NASA and private entities.
