Boeing Starliner is back on Earth - minus Sunita Williams: 5 photos
The Boeing Starliner (also called CST-100) is a spacecraft built to carry astronauts to and from the International Space Station (ISS) and other places in space close to Earth.
Photo Credits: Reuters
NASA and Boeing safely returned the uncrewed Starliner spacecraft on September 6, concluding a three-month flight test.
Photo Credits: NASA
The spacecraft landed at 10:01 p.m. MDT at White Sands Space Harbor, New Mexico, marking the end of the test flight.
Photo Credits: Reuters
This mission was Starliner’s third orbital flight, demonstrating the spacecraft’s capability for repeated space missions.
Photo Credits: Reuters
The Starliner returned to Earth without astronaut Sunita Williams, who was originally planned to be on board.
Photo Credits: NASA
The spacecraft faced technical problems making it too risky to bring the astronauts home.
Photo Credits: NASA
Instead of Starliner, the astronauts will return in a SpaceX Crew Dragon, extending their stay on the ISS from eight days to eight months.
Photo Credits: NASA
This was the first test flight of Boeing’s Starliner with astronauts on board, but it encountered issues soon after launching from Cape Canaveral on 5 June.
Photo Credits: NASA
The capsule experienced helium leaks and malfunctioning thrusters, impacting its propulsion system and overall performance.
Photo Credits: Shutterstock
Despite the setbacks, Boeing and NASA are working to resolve the issues with Starliner. The spacecraft will be prepared for future missions, and astronauts will continue their work aboard the ISS until their planned return.
Photo Credits: Pexels
10 stunning NASA Hubble pictures that make for mind-blowing wallpapers