Boeing’s Starliner capsule made its return to Earth on Friday evening after nearly three months in space, concluding its mission at the International Space Station (ISS).
The capsule, however, returned without its two NASA test pilots, who remain on the ISS for an extended stay.
The Starliner undocked from the space station just after 6 p.m. ET and spent six hours in orbit before beginning its descent toward Earth.
The capsule completed a critical phase of its test mission, reentering Earth’s atmosphere at speeds exceeding 17,000 miles per hour.
Reentry is one of the most challenging aspects of any spacecraft’s journey, with Starliner enduring extreme heat — over 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit — as it passed through the atmosphere. Despite the intense conditions, the capsule successfully deployed parachutes designed by Boeing earlier this year, slowing its descent. Airbags further cushioned the spacecraft’s landing, making for a smooth touchdown at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico at 12:01 a.m. ET.
This mission marks a significant milestone for Boeing, as Starliner is the first US-made capsule designed to land on solid ground rather than splash down in the ocean.
This feature is expected to simplify the recovery and refurbishment process for future flights.
NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who had flown the Starliner to the ISS in June, sent the capsule off with well-wishes but will remain on the space station for another five to six months. Initially, the plan was for the astronauts to return on the Starliner, but technical issues that arose during the mission led NASA to change course.
In the first leg of the mission, the Starliner experienced helium leaks and thruster issues.
The problems caused a delay in the return mission, prompting NASA and Boeing to keep the spacecraft in orbit longer than originally planned. These issues, coupled with concerns about the spacecraft’s ability to maintain orientation during reentry, led to the decision to bring Starliner home without its crew.
The astronauts are now expected to return to Earth aboard a SpaceX capsule in 2025.
Boeing and NASA will continue to analyze the data from Starliner’s flight as they determine the next steps for the spacecraft’s future missions.
