NASA decided to bring the Starliner spacecraft back to Earth without a crew
NASA made the decision to return the Starliner spacecraft to Earth without astronauts on board to minimize risks and continue testing.
Photo: boeing.com
NASA made the decision to bring the Starliner spacecraft back to Earth without a crew. This step is related to the agency's desire to minimize risks for astronauts and continue gathering data on the spacecraft's performance, as reported on the NASA website.
Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who have been on the International Space Station (ISS) since June 2024 as part of NASA's mission to test space systems, were originally scheduled to return aboard the Starliner.
According to NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, "Spaceflights always involve risk, especially during test flights."
He noted that the decision to keep the crew on the ISS and return the Starliner without people was driven by safety concerns.
NASA identified helium leaks and issues with the Starliner's reaction control thrusters as it approached the ISS on June 6, prompting the need for additional tests and data analysis.
Astronauts Wilmore and Williams will continue working on the ISS until February 2025, after which they will return to Earth aboard the Dragon spacecraft as part of the SpaceX Crew-9 mission.
The Starliner is expected to autonomously depart the ISS and successfully land in early September 2024.
NASA and Boeing will continue to collaborate to adjust mission completion plans and prepare for future Starliner flights to ensure crew safety on upcoming missions.
Photo: boeing.com
The CST-100 Starliner spacecraft, developed by Boeing in collaboration with NASA as part of the Commercial Crew Program, is designed to transport up to seven people or a combination of crew and cargo to Earth's orbit.
In missions related to the International Space Station, it will carry up to four NASA astronauts and important scientific materials that require timely delivery.
The Starliner stands out for its unique weldless construction, making it reusable up to ten times with a six-month interval between flights.
The spacecraft's interior is equipped with wireless technologies and tablet interfaces for crew system management.
Additionally, it was noted that Canadian astronaut Joshua Kutryk will join the crew of Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft, which will depart for the ISS in 2025 along with NASA astronauts.