Fri Sep 13 12:48:00 UTC 2024: ## Boeing’s Starliner Lands Successfully, But NASA Keeps Astronauts Grounded
**CAPE CANAVERAL, FL** – Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft has successfully completed an uncrewed landing back on Earth, marking a significant milestone for the company’s commercial space program. However, the landing comes amidst continued controversy over the spacecraft’s reliability, with NASA reiterating its decision to keep astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore off the capsule.
The Starliner launched on June 5th with Williams and Wilmore on board, but technical issues forced NASA to abort the mission. These issues included helium leaks and malfunctioning thrusters, rendering the spacecraft unfit for a crewed return. NASA prioritised crew safety and opted to return the astronauts on a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule in 2025.
Despite the successful landing, NASA acknowledged technical difficulties encountered by the Starliner, including a thruster malfunction and a temporary guidance system blackout during reentry. While NASA program manager Steve Stich praised the landing as a “bullseye,” he affirmed the decision to keep the astronauts off the capsule, highlighting the importance of crew safety.
The Starliner’s future with NASA remains uncertain. Analyst Ron Epstein of Bank of America suggests that the capsule’s history of delays and cost overruns could hamper Boeing’s future manned spaceflight contracts, potentially leading to the company’s exit from the sector.
Astronauts Williams and Wilmore, currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS), are scheduled to address the media on September 13th. Their return to Earth remains a significant event in the unfolding saga of Boeing’s Starliner program.
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