Fri Sep 13 12:48:00 UTC 2024: ## Boeing’s Starliner Returns to Earth Uncrewed After Thruster Failure
**Houston, TX** – Boeing’s Starliner crew transport capsule returned to Earth without its crew on September 7th, 2024, concluding a troubled test flight to the International Space Station (ISS). The capsule’s remotely piloted return was necessary after thruster malfunctions during the mission raised safety concerns, prompting NASA to deem the capsule unfit for a crewed return.
The two astronauts on board, Butch Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams, will remain on the ISS until February 2025, returning to Earth on a SpaceX Dragon capsule.
Michael Fossum, a former ISS commander, expressed his disappointment with the outcome, stating it was a significant setback for both Boeing and NASA. However, he emphasized the importance of maintaining multiple American crew launch systems for continued human space operations.
“NASA is also continuing its exchange partnership with Russia, which provides the agency with multiple ways to get crew members to and from the space station,” Fossum said. “Having Starliner as an option will help with that redundancy.”
While the Starliner’s failure is a blow to Boeing’s reputation, Fossum noted that it was a test flight, and such problems are to be expected. He praised SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, which has already proven its reliability with several successful flights.
Fossum also highlighted the unique challenges of spaceflight, explaining that the unforgiving environment can amplify even minor problems. “The technology SpaceX and Boeing use is also radically different from the kind of capsule technology used in the early days of the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs,” he added.
Despite the setbacks, Fossum remains optimistic about the future of human spaceflight. He lauded NASA’s innovative approach in partnering with commercial companies like Boeing and SpaceX, stating, “NASA has evolved and made strategic moves to advance its mission over the past two decades. The agency has leaned into its legacy of thinking outside the box.”
He also expressed his confidence in Wilmore and Williams, two experienced astronauts who are capable of handling this unexpected situation. “I am sure they are leaning forward with a positive attitude and using their bonus time in space to advance science, technology, and space exploration,” Fossum said.
The incident does present logistical challenges, however. With the unexpected extended stay of Wilmore and Williams, NASA needs to increase deliveries of food, water, and other supplies to the ISS. Additionally, the space station’s systems need to work harder to support the larger crew.
Despite these difficulties, Fossum believes that the setbacks encountered in the development of the Starliner, Crew Dragon, and Orion spacecraft are a testament to the complexity and risk associated with human spaceflight. He remains excited about the future of human space exploration, emphasizing the importance of learning from each challenge to propel humanity further into the cosmos.
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