Two astronauts left behind on ISS as troubled Boeing Starliner capsule lands empty on Earth | Science and technology news
Boeing’s troubled Starliner capsule has returned to Earth, leaving two astronauts behind on the International Space Station (ISS).
Six hours after takeoff, the autopilot-operated spacecraft landed by parachute in the New Mexico desert.
Cameras captured the capsule as a white streak coming in for landing at 11:01 p.m. local time (5:01 a.m. UK time on Saturday), sparking jubilation at Boeing control center.
NASA thought it was too risky for Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to get back on the spaceship.
It means They will stay on the ISS until Februarymore than eight months after setting off on a journey that was supposed to last only eight days.
Shortly thereafter Boeing’s The capsule was launched into orbit in June with a long delay, but even before its arrival on Space station These included several engine failures and helium leaks in the propulsion system.
The Starliner spacecraft landed empty in White Sands, New Mexico. Image: AP/Nasa
After landing, the capsule was checked. Image: AP/Nasa
Boeing conducted extensive engine tests in space and on the ground and declared the spacecraft could return the astronauts safely.
NASA, however, disagreed and preferred to leave the animals on the station.
There were some problems with Starliner’s re-entry, including further problems with the engines, but Starliner managed a “perfect landing,” said Steve Stich, NASA’s commercial crew program manager.
Astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore on board the International Space Station. Image: AP/Nasa
Starliner undocked from the International Space Station. Image: AP/Nasa
Boeing faced a number of problems a decade ago after signing a contract worth more than $4 billion (£3 billion) with NASA to transport astronauts into space and back more than a decade ago.
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Its first uncrewed test flight in 2019 encountered so many problems that it had to be repeated in 2022, with even more defects and repair costs exceeding $1 billion (£0.76 billion).
In contrast, The The crew transfer flight later this month will be NASA’s tenth since 2020.
The Dragon space capsule will take off with only two astronauts instead of four, as two seats are reserved for Wilmore and Williams on the return flight.
Starliner will be transported back to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, where they will analyze what went wrong.
NASA officials stressed that the space agency remains committed to enabling the transport of astronauts by two competing U.S. companies.
The goal is for SpaceX and Boeing to take turns launching crews into space — one per year for each company — until the space station is abandoned in 2030, just before its fiery reentry into Earth’s atmosphere.
This does not give Boeing much time to catch up, but according to NASA, the company intends to move forward with the Starliner.
