NASA Announces Return Schedule for Boeing Starliner Without Astronaut Sunita Williams Onboard; Full Details Inside

NASA has recently announced the detailed timeline for the return of Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, which will re-enter Earth's atmosphere without astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry "Butch" Wilmore on board. This return marks the completion of a crucial phase in the ongoing testing and validation of the Starliner system, a key component in NASA's commercial crew program.

Starliner's Journey Back to Earth

The Starliner capsule is scheduled to depart from the International Space Station (ISS) on Friday, September 6, 2024. The spacecraft will autonomously undock from the ISS at approximately 6:04 p.m. EDT (3:34 a.m. IST, September 7) and begin its descent towards Earth. The landing is expected to take place early Saturday morning, September 7, 2024, at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico, with touchdown targeted for around 12:03 a.m. EDT (9:33 a.m. IST).

Extensive Live Coverage of the Return

NASA has planned comprehensive live coverage of the Starliner's return to Earth. The coverage will include multiple phases of the mission, starting from the undocking procedure to the landing. The coverage will be available on NASA+, the NASA app, YouTube, and the agency's official website, subject to favorable weather conditions.

The live broadcast of the undocking process will commence at 5:45 p.m. EDT (3:15 a.m. IST, September 7) on September 6. The undocking itself is scheduled for 6:04 p.m. EDT (3:34 a.m. IST, September 7). After the undocking is completed, NASA will pause the coverage and resume it at 10:50 p.m. EDT (8:20 a.m. IST, September 7) to cover the deorbit burn, entry, and landing stages. Following the anticipated landing at 12:03 a.m. EDT (9:33 a.m. IST, September 7), NASA will host a post-landing news conference at 1:30 a.m. EDT (11:00 a.m. IST, September 7).

Pre-Departure Briefing

In preparation for the Starliner's return, NASA will conduct a pre-departure news conference on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at 12 p.m. EDT (9:30 p.m. IST). This briefing will take place at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston and will feature key representatives from NASA's Commercial Crew and International Space Station Programs, as well as a flight director. The briefing will be streamed live, allowing the public and media to gain insights into the mission's objectives and expected outcomes.

Safety Concerns and Decision to Return Uncrewed

Williams and Wilmore originally launched aboard the Starliner on June 5, 2024, marking the spacecraft’s first crewed mission. They successfully docked at the ISS on June 6, 2024. However, shortly after their arrival, NASA and Boeing engineers identified several issues with the spacecraft, including helium leaks and malfunctions with the reaction control thrusters. These issues raised safety concerns, leading NASA to reassess the mission.

After thorough evaluations, NASA decided on August 24, 2024, to bring the Starliner back to Earth without its crew. The astronauts, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, will remain aboard the ISS and are now scheduled to return home in February 2025. Their return will be facilitated by SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft as part of the Crew-9 mission.

Adjustments to SpaceX's Crew-9 Mission

In light of the changes with the Starliner mission, SpaceX has adjusted its Crew-9 mission plan. Initially, the Crew-9 Dragon spacecraft was expected to transport a four-person crew to and from the ISS. However, to accommodate the return of Williams and Wilmore, NASA and SpaceX have decided that the Dragon will now carry only a two-person crew in September 2024. The spacecraft will also transport two empty spacesuits for the astronauts, who will remain aboard the ISS until their scheduled return in February 2025.

The decision to alter the Crew-9 mission underscores NASA’s commitment to astronaut safety and mission success. The agency's collaboration with both Boeing and SpaceX aims to ensure the continued safety of astronauts while also progressing the development and reliability of commercial crew transportation.

Future of Boeing's Starliner Program

The uncrewed return of the Starliner marks a significant milestone in the spacecraft’s testing phase, but it also highlights the challenges that Boeing faces in bringing the Starliner to full operational capability. NASA and Boeing will analyze the data collected during this mission to address the issues encountered and ensure that the Starliner is ready for future crewed missions.

Despite the setbacks, NASA remains committed to its partnership with Boeing, with the goal of certifying the Starliner for regular crewed missions to and from the ISS. The lessons learned from this mission will be critical in refining the spacecraft's systems and ensuring the safety and reliability of future missions.

Conclusion

NASA's detailed planning and comprehensive coverage of the Starliner's return reflect the agency's transparency and dedication to advancing human space exploration. While the decision to return the Starliner uncrewed was made out of an abundance of caution, it also serves as an opportunity to improve the spacecraft's design and operations. The adjustments made to the SpaceX Crew-9 mission further demonstrate the flexibility and resilience of NASA's commercial crew program, ensuring that astronaut safety remains the top priority.