The Boeing Starliner spacecraft, which transported Indian-origin NASA astronaut Sunita Williams and her colleague Barry “Butch” Wilmore to the International Space Station (ISS) on June 5, will return to Earth without its human occupants. The spacecraft’s autonomous return is scheduled for September 6, with a landing expected approximately six hours post-undocking.
Originally designed for a crewed test flight, the Starliner faced propulsion issues that extended the astronauts’ stay at the ISS beyond the planned eight days. NASA announced on August 24 that Williams and Wilmore would remain on the ISS until February 2025, and the Starliner would return uncrewed. This decision allows for continued testing of the spacecraft while minimizing risk to the astronauts.
NASA and Boeing reached the decision during a “tense” meeting, with NASA officials unanimously endorsing the approach. NASA Administrator Senator Bill Nelson emphasized that safety is paramount, stating, “Spaceflight is risky, even at its safest and most routine. The decision to return the Starliner without crew reflects our commitment to safety.”
Boeing, while affirming confidence in the Starliner’s capabilities, stated that the spacecraft could safely return with or without crew. The company noted that 27 of 28 reaction control system thrusters are operational and that the propulsion system maintains redundancy.
NASA’s decision was influenced by safety concerns, particularly given past incidents such as the Challenger and Columbia disasters. The agency cited uncertainty and lack of expert consensus as reasons for not meeting its human spaceflight safety standards.
The Starliner, which Boeing developed under a $4.2 billion contract awarded in 2014, has faced significant delays and budget overruns. In contrast, SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, developed under a similar contract, began transporting astronauts in 2020. Williams and Wilmore will ultimately return to Earth aboard a Crew Dragon.
Despite the delays, NASA remains committed to the Starliner’s development, with Boeing responsible for additional costs required for full certification. Recent concerns about “strange noises” from the spacecraft were identified as feedback from a speaker.
The Boeing Starliner, with a height of 5 meters, a diameter of 4.6 meters, and a weight of 13,000 kg at lift-off, is designed for up to ten missions, though service modules are single-use. The spacecraft can accommodate a crew of up to seven, with NASA missions typically involving four to five crew members.
