NASA and Boeing successfully concluded the uncrewed flight test of the Starliner spacecraft, landing safely at 10:01 p.m. MDT on September 6 at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico. The mission, which lasted three months, was a crucial step in testing the spacecraft’s capabilities in preparation for future crewed missions to the International Space Station (ISS).
Ken Bowersox, associate administrator for NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate, expressed pride in the team’s efforts. “We are pleased to see Starliner’s safe return,” Bowersox said, emphasizing that the mission, while uncrewed, provided valuable insights into the spacecraft’s performance under extreme conditions.
This flight marked Starliner’s third orbital mission and its second return from the ISS. The spacecraft will now be shipped to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida for inspection and processing as part of the ongoing evaluation of the system’s readiness for crewed missions.
Steve Stich, manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, praised the test flight, noting the significance of the mission for future Starliner operations. “This was an important test flight for NASA, setting us up for future missions on the Starliner system,” Stich remarked, commending the team for their dedication over the past three months.
NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams launched aboard Starliner on June 5 but remained on the ISS after NASA and Boeing identified technical issues with the spacecraft. These included helium leaks and reaction control thruster problems. After extensive testing, NASA made the decision to prioritize safety and return the Starliner uncrewed. The astronauts will continue their work on the ISS as part of Expedition 71/72, returning in February 2025 on the SpaceX Crew-9 mission.
The Starliner mission is part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, which aims to provide safe, reliable, and cost-effective transportation to and from the ISS. This program supports NASA’s broader objectives, including preparing for future human exploration of the Moon and Mars.–NASA