Boeing Starliner Poised for Pivotal Re-Entry Test After Past Challenges

Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft faces a critical re-entry test this week, as NASA decides to return it to Earth without a crew due to safety concerns.

At a Glance

Boeing’s Starliner will return to Earth uncrewed due to safety issues
Spacecraft to undock from ISS on Friday, Sept. 6, and land in New Mexico on Saturday, Sept. 7
NASA will provide live coverage of Starliner’s return
Starliner has faced multiple setbacks and technical issues
Future of Boeing’s Starliner program remains uncertain

Starliner’s Troubled Return

Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft is set for a pivotal moment as it prepares for an uncrewed return to Earth, following NASA’s decision to prioritize safety over the planned crewed mission. The spacecraft, which launched in early June for what was initially planned as a week-long test flight, has encountered several technical issues during its extended stay at the International Space Station (ISS).

According to NASA’s schedule, Starliner will autonomously undock from the ISS at 8:04 p.m. MDT on Friday, September 6, and is expected to land at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico around 12:03 a.m. on Saturday, September 7. Space enthusiasts and industry observers can watch the event live through NASA’s various platforms, including NASA+, the NASA app, and the agency’s website.

The fate of the Boeing Starliner crew remains uncertain as NASA decides how to get the two astronauts home from the International Space Station. https://t.co/AKsGau4DLi

— Enquirer (@Enquirer) August 14, 2024

Technical Challenges and Safety Concerns

The decision to return Starliner without astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore comes after a series of technical issues were identified during the spacecraft’s stay at the ISS. Five of Starliner’s 28 maneuvering thrusters failed during docking, and five small helium leaks were discovered. These problems, combined with concerns about the spacecraft’s propulsion and parachute systems, led NASA to conclude that Starliner did not meet the safety and performance requirements for human spaceflight.

“Spaceflight is risky, even at its safest and most routine,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson in an Aug. 24 press release. “A test flight, by nature, is neither safe, nor routine. The decision to keep Butch and Suni aboard the International Space Station and bring Boeing’s Starliner home uncrewed is the result of our commitment to safety: our core value and our North Star. I’m grateful to both the NASA and Boeing teams for all their incredible and detailed work.”

The propulsion system issues include thrusters that aren’t firing as expected due to helium tank leaks, while the parachute system has raised concerns about deploying correctly during re-entry, risking a potential crash landing. These problems have not only delayed the current mission but have also pushed back the first operational Starliner mission to August 2025.

Starliner’s Troubled History and Uncertain Future

Boeing’s Starliner program has been plagued by setbacks and delays since its inception. In 2019, the spacecraft failed its first uncrewed test flight, and subsequent issues were discovered in 2022. Despite receiving more funding than competitor SpaceX, Boeing has yet to complete a crewed round-trip flight to the ISS.

“Starliner is a very capable spacecraft and, ultimately, this comes down to needing a higher level of certainty to perform a crewed return,” said Steve Stich, manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program last week. “The NASA and Boeing teams have completed a tremendous amount of testing and analysis, and this flight test is providing critical information on Starliner’s performance in space. Our efforts will help prepare for the uncrewed return and will greatly benefit future corrective actions for the spacecraft.”

The future viability of Boeing’s Starliner program remains uncertain. NASA has invested over $5 billion in the project, with Boeing incurring approximately $1.6 billion in charges related to Starliner as of July 2024. Meanwhile, SpaceX, which received a $2.6 billion contract, has been operational since 2020 and has been providing regular taxi services to the ISS.

As Starliner prepares for its critical re-entry test, the aerospace industry watches closely to see if the spacecraft can overcome its troubled history and prove its reliability for future NASA missions. The success or failure of this return flight could have significant implications for the future of Boeing’s space program and NASA’s commercial crew initiatives.