Uncrewed Boeing Starliner Lands in New Mexico After Milestone Flight
The uncrewed Boeing Starliner successfully completed its mission by landing in New Mexico after an important test flight from the International Space Station (ISS). Despite some issues with the thrusters and helium leaks, the capsule’s safe return marks a significant step in Boeing’s journey to certify the spacecraft for future manned missions.
Summary:
- Boeing Starliner successfully landed in New Mexico on September 6, 2024.
- The capsule had left the International Space Station (ISS) six hours earlier.
- Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams were left behind and will return on a SpaceX Dragon in February.
- NASA found that the thruster and helium leaks made it too risky to bring astronauts back aboard the Starliner.
- The capsule’s autonomous landing at White Sands Space Harbor was executed flawlessly.
- Boeing hopes this mission will pave the way for future NASA certifications.
- The Starliner is unique because it lands on solid ground rather than water, unlike SpaceX’s capsules.
- There were several reaction control system malfunctions during the mission.
- Boeing’s Starliner program has faced significant budget overruns and delays.
- Despite setbacks, this mission was an important milestone in Boeing’s ongoing efforts to become a key player in human space travel.
Main Article
On September 6, 2024, Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft made a remarkable landing at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico after an uncrewed six-hour journey back from the International Space Station (ISS). The mission was a significant milestone for Boeing’s Commercial Crew Program as the company works toward gaining NASA certification for manned flights.
Even though astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams were originally meant to return aboard the Starliner, concerns over thruster issues and helium leaks forced NASA to decide against the manned return, delaying their trip home until February 2025 on a SpaceX Dragon capsule. This decision highlights the complexities and challenges of space travel, especially when human lives are involved.
The Boeing Starliner spacecraft, also known as the CST-100, was designed to provide NASA with a reliable alternative to SpaceX and Russia’s Soyuz spacecraft for carrying astronauts to and from the ISS. However, Boeing’s journey to developing a safe, crew-capable spacecraft has been fraught with challenges. The program is already more than $1.5 billion over budget and is years behind schedule.
A key goal for Boeing is to have the Starliner become a regular player in NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, which aims to diversify the options for manned spaceflight. While SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule has successfully flown numerous missions to the ISS, NASA seeks redundancy in its crew transportation systems. This latest mission was a vital step for Boeing to prove that the Starliner can safely complete space missions, even though this one was conducted without a crew.
The Starliner launched on June 5, 2024, carrying astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams on what was meant to be its first crewed flight. However, shortly after launch, engineers noticed helium leaks and malfunctions with the spacecraft’s reaction control thrusters.
Out of 28 thrusters that are essential for controlling the spacecraft’s movements, five failed. While four of the malfunctioning thrusters were recovered, one remained inoperative throughout the mission. These issues caused NASA and Boeing to change their original plans for the astronauts’ return.
LIVE: In a post-landing news update, NASA officials discuss the Boeing #Starliner spacecraft's return to Earth at White Sands Space Harbor, New Mexico. https://t.co/wHIzFNSP8H
— NASA (@NASA) September 7, 2024
On September 6, 2024, the Starliner autonomously undocked from the International Space Station as scheduled at 4:04 p.m. MDT. The capsule slowly backed away from the station, performing a series of 12 “breakout burns” over five minutes to ensure a safe distance from the orbiting laboratory. These burns took the spacecraft on a trajectory over central China as it prepared to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere.
As the Starliner re-entered Earth’s atmosphere, it was traveling at more than 17,000 miles per hour. The heat shield protected the capsule as it experienced temperatures exceeding 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Despite the intense conditions, the Starliner maintained its orientation and performed a controlled descent.
At 30,000 feet, the heat shield was jettisoned, exposing the craft’s parachutes and airbags. The thrusters and parachutes worked in tandem to slow the capsule’s descent, ensuring a smooth landing.
The Boeing Starliner made history by becoming the first U.S.-made capsule to land on solid ground, unlike traditional ocean splashdowns used by SpaceX and previous NASA capsules. The Starliner touched down at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico at 10:01 p.m. MDT. Ground crews were quick to secure the spacecraft and begin preparations for its return to Florida, where it had originally launched on June 5.
While the landing was smooth, the mission was not without its share of challenges. Boeing faced significant setbacks due to malfunctions in the reaction control system and helium leaks that raised concerns for NASA regarding the astronauts’ safe return. The Starliner’s propulsion system showed signs of stability during parts of the mission, but the thruster failures created unacceptable risks for a crewed landing.
LIVE: In a post-landing news update, NASA officials discuss the Boeing #Starliner spacecraft's return to Earth at White Sands Space Harbor, New Mexico. https://t.co/wHIzFNSP8H
— NASA (@NASA) September 7, 2024
Out of 28 thrusters, five of them stopped working en route to the ISS. Boeing managed to recover four, but at least one remained non-operational throughout the mission. These thrusters are crucial for adjusting the spacecraft’s orientation and movement during flight. Engineers were able to mitigate the impact of these failures for this mission, but this issue needs resolution before Boeing can receive full certification for manned missions.
NASA’s Confidence in Boeing
Despite the challenges, NASA is still confident in Boeing’s ability to deliver a safe, reliable spacecraft in the near future. The Starliner program is part of NASA’s plan to reduce its reliance on Russia’s Soyuz spacecraft and offer more alternatives alongside SpaceX for crewed spaceflight missions.
NASA official Steve Stich summed up the mood by saying, “From a human perspective, all of us feel happy about the successful landing. But there’s a piece of us, all of us, that we wish it would have been the way we had planned it.”
One of the most notable aspects of Boeing’s Starliner is its land-based recovery method. Unlike SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, which lands in the ocean, the Starliner is designed to land on solid ground. This approach offers several benefits, including faster recovery times and less damage to the spacecraft, allowing it to be refurbished and reused more easily.
This unique design element could make the Starliner a more cost-effective option in the long run, once Boeing resolves the current issues with its systems.
Spot #Starliner on its way back to Earth! After the spacecraft undocks from the @Space_Station on Sept. 6, it will soar through Earth's skies before landing in New Mexico. If you're on the visibility path (all times MT) and skies are clear, look up and you might see it. pic.twitter.com/k5OfnZZNnb
— NASA (@NASA) September 6, 2024
Boeing has a long way to go before the Starliner can be considered fully operational for human spaceflight. The company is facing several challenges, including:
- Thruster Issues – The malfunctions must be addressed and resolved before the spacecraft can carry astronauts again.
- Budget Overruns – The program is already $1.5 billion over budget, and further delays could exacerbate this problem.
- NASA Certification – Boeing needs to complete more successful missions to receive full certification from NASA for crewed flights.
However, if Boeing can overcome these hurdles, the Starliner could become an important part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, offering the space agency greater flexibility in its missions to the ISS.
Table 1: Key Differences Between Starliner and SpaceX Dragon
| Feature | Boeing Starliner | SpaceX Dragon |
|---|---|---|
| Landing Method | Land-based recovery | Ocean splashdown |
| Thruster Issues | 5 failed thrusters during recent flight | Thrusters operational in past missions |
| Budget Overrun | Over $1.5 billion over budget | Within projected budget |
| Crew Capacity | Up to 7 astronauts | Up to 7 astronauts |
Table 2: Boeing Starliner Timeline
| Year | Event Description |
|---|---|
| 2010 | Boeing awarded NASA contract for Commercial Crew Program |
| 2019 | First uncrewed Starliner test flight; failed to reach ISS |
| 2022 | Second uncrewed test flight; successful docking with ISS |
| 2024 | First crewed flight; thruster issues led to delayed return |
Despite the thruster malfunctions and helium leaks that marred its mission, the uncrewed Boeing Starliner’s successful landing in New Mexico represents a major step forward for the company. As NASA and Boeing work through these challenges, this flight shows potential for the future of human space travel. Boeing’s perseverance could one day lead to the Starliner becoming a regular option for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, alongside SpaceX’s Dragon capsule.
