Boeing's Starliner Returns to Earth After 92 Days Without Crew, Lands in New Mexico

Sep 7, 2024, 12:30 AM

Boeing's uncrewed Starliner spacecraft successfully returned to Earth from the International Space Station (ISS) on September 7, 2024, after a three-month mission plagued by technical issues. The spacecraft, which was initially intended for an eight-day mission, landed at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico at 12:01 a.m. ET. NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who were originally aboard the Starliner, remained on the ISS due to safety concerns. The mission's return was delayed by several months because of technical problems, including helium leaks and thruster issues. The spacecraft undocked from the ISS at 6:04 p.m. ET and spent a total of 92 days in space. The astronauts are now scheduled to return to Earth on SpaceX's Crew Dragon in February 2025. This mission marked a critical test for Boeing as it seeks to validate the Starliner's capabilities despite the setbacks.