NASA announced on Saturday that it will return Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft to Earth without astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams on board. This decision follows a series of safety assessments and tests, allowing the agency to gather crucial data while avoiding unnecessary risks to its crew.
Wilmore and Williams, who have been aboard the International Space Station (ISS) since June as part of NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test, will remain on the ISS until February 2025. They will return to Earth aboard a Dragon spacecraft as part of the SpaceX Crew-9 mission, alongside two other crew members.
The decision to return Starliner uncrewed comes after NASA and Boeing identified helium leaks and issues with the spacecraft’s reaction control thrusters during its approach to the ISS on June 6. Despite extensive work and testing by engineering teams, including independent reviews by propulsion experts, the uncertainty surrounding these issues led NASA to opt for an uncrewed return to ensure safety.
“Spaceflight is risky, even at its safest and most routine. A test flight, by nature, is neither safe, nor routine,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “The decision to keep Butch and Suni aboard the ISS and bring Boeing’s Starliner home uncrewed is the result of our commitment to safety.”
The Starliner, designed for autonomous operation, has completed two uncrewed flights previously. NASA and Boeing will now focus on adjusting mission plans and preparing the spacecraft for a safe, controlled re-entry and landing in early September. The spacecraft must return before the Crew-9 mission launches, as it requires the docking port currently occupied by Starliner.
Ken Bowersox, NASA’s associate administrator for Space Operations, praised the teams involved for their careful analysis and transparent decision-making, noting that the uncrewed return will provide valuable data to improve Starliner for future missions.
As NASA’s Commercial Crew Program progresses, the agency will review all data from this mission to determine what additional steps are necessary for Starliner to meet certification requirements for crewed flights.
The SpaceX Crew-9 mission, now set to launch no earlier than September 24, will include Wilmore and Williams, along with additional cargo and equipment tailored for their return. This mission marks the ninth rotational mission to the ISS under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, which aims to provide safe, reliable, and cost-effective transportation to and from the space station.
The ISS continues to play a vital role in advancing scientific research and preparing for future human exploration of Mars as part of NASA’s Artemis campaign.–News Desk