Boeing Starliner Returns To Earth Without Astronauts

The Boeing Starliner spacecraft landed in a New Mexico desert late on Friday without the astronauts it carried into space. The spacecraft suffered technical problems after it launched with astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams on board. Due to the problems, the NASA astronauts will remain at the International Space Station until February, extending an eight-day stay on the ISS to eight months. The duo will return to Earth in February 2025 with the SpaceX Crew-9 mission. 

Starliner's flight back lasted six hours and touched down at New Mexico's White Sands Space Harbor at 12:01 am ET (9:31 am IST). This was the inaugural test flight for Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft with astronauts on board. However, technical issues were identified soon after the spacecraft blasted off from Florida on 5 June. Reports suggest that the capsule experienced leaks of helium, and several of its thrusters did not work properly. Experts spent months trying to understand the technical issues. However, NASA later decided that Starliner was not safe enough to bring the astronauts home. 

Reuters reported that Boeing will recover the Starliner capsule after its touchdown and continue its investigation into why the thrusters failed in space. Meanwhile, NASA says that Butch and Suni are safe aboard the ISS, working alongside the Expedition 71 crew conducting research and performing station maintenance. The US space agency also noted that the space station is well-stocked with everything the crew needs, including food, water, clothing, and oxygen.