In a significant milestone for Boeing, the Starliner spacecraft, affectionately named ‘Calypso’ by its crew, made a successful landing in the deserts of White Sands Space Harbor, New Mexico, at precisely 12:01 am on Saturday.
Autonomous journey back to Earth
The spacecraft autonomously undocked from the International Space Station (ISS) at 6:04 pm ET on Friday. It left behind its crew members, astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore, who continue their mission aboard the ISS. NASA had earlier deemed the return flight too risky for human passengers, necessitating the astronauts’ extended stay.
Gentle descent and safe landing
The gumdrop-shaped capsule executed a gentle descent, aided by parachutes that significantly slowed its fall. Upon nearing the ground, airbags deployed to provide a safe cushion, ensuring a smooth landing.
NASA has scheduled a press conference at 1:30 am ET (11 am IST) to discuss the descent and the overall mission of Starliner’s return to Earth.
Crew’s sentiments and communication
“She’s on her way home. Congratulations to the undocking team,” NASA astronaut Sunita Williams radioed to Mission Control as the spacecraft began its journey back to Earth.
Williams also personalized the spacecraft’s journey by referring to it by its chosen name: “It is time to bring Calypso home. You guys got this,” she said.
Real-time updates
As the Starliner undocked, an announcer on a NASA webcast confirmed, “Separation confirmed,” at 6:04 pm. “Starliner is now backing away from the station and starting its return to Earth,” the announcer added.
Initially launched on June 5 for an eight-day mission, the Starliner’s stay in space was extended due to technical issues. These included problems with its thrusters and helium systems, which had delayed its trip to space multiple times. Despite these challenges, the thrusters appeared to function properly during the undocking process.
Future plans for the crew
While the Starliner is now safely back on Earth, astronauts Williams and Wilmore will remain at the ISS until February 2025, when SpaceX’s Dragon capsule is scheduled to bring them home.
This successful landing marks a crucial step for Boeing and NASA as they continue to address and overcome the technical challenges of space travel.
