Boeing Starliner, Built for Astronauts, Set to Return to Earth Without Crew Aboard

Photo : AP

The Boeing Starliner spacecraft, initially hailed as a capsule designed "by astronauts, for astronauts," is set to return to Earth without its crew following a series of setbacks. The spacecraft, which carried Indian-origin NASA astronaut Sunita Williams and fellow astronaut Barry "Butch" Wilmore to the International Space Station (ISS) in June 2023, will make its return journey in autonomous mode on September 6. The uncrewed return is expected to take approximately six hours after the spacecraft undocks from the ISS.

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Originally, the Starliner’s mission was scheduled to last eight days, with Williams and Wilmore returning to Earth shortly after their arrival at the ISS on June 6. However, propulsion issues with the spacecraft delayed the astronauts' return, with NASA announcing on August 24 that the astronauts would remain on the ISS until February 2025. The Starliner, however, would return to Earth without them, allowing NASA and Boeing to collect valuable data while minimizing risks to the astronauts.

The decision to send the Starliner back without its crew was made after a tense meeting between NASA and Boeing officials. NASA explained that this course of action was necessary to ensure safety, as the agency continues to prioritize rigorous testing and evaluation of the spacecraft’s capabilities. NASA’s chief, Senator Bill Nelson, who is also a former astronaut, explained, "Spaceflight is risky, even at its safest and most routine. A test flight, by nature, is neither safe nor routine. The decision to keep Butch and Suni (Sunita Williams) aboard the International Space Station and bring Boeing's Starliner home without crew is the result of our commitment to safety – our core value and our North Star."

Boeing has maintained confidence in the Starliner’s safety, stating that the spacecraft could safely return with or without crew. In a statement, the company noted, "We continue to support NASA's requests for additional testing, data, analysis, and reviews to affirm the spacecraft's safe undocking and landing capabilities." Boeing added that 27 of the 28 reaction control system (RCS) thrusters were fully operational, and the spacecraft’s propulsion system still maintained redundancy, with helium levels remaining stable. The company expressed confidence that the additional testing would address issues related to the thrusters and ensure the spacecraft’s safe return.

Despite Boeing’s assurances, NASA remained cautious. The agency, still deeply impacted by the Challenger and Columbia shuttle tragedies, opted for a conservative approach. "The uncertainty and lack of expert concurrence does not meet the agency’s safety and performance requirements for human spaceflight," NASA said in a statement, underscoring its commitment to minimizing risks to astronauts.

Sunita Williams, who had been deeply involved in the development of the Starliner, was one of the astronauts chosen to pilot the spacecraft on its first crewed mission. The spacecraft, which Williams had described as a "fantastic spacecraft," was given the name "Calypso" by her. She chose the name in honor of the legendary ship used by French oceanographer and filmmaker Jacques-Yves Cousteau during his ocean explorations, a tribute to her childhood fascination with the ocean.

The Boeing Starliner, technically known as the CST-100 Starliner, stands five meters tall, with a crew module and service module, a diameter of 4.6 meters, and a lift-off weight of 13,000 kilograms. Designed to transport both crew and cargo to low-Earth orbit, the Starliner can accommodate up to seven astronauts, though NASA missions typically involve four or five. The spacecraft is partially reusable, with each crew module designed for up to 10 missions, while the service modules are mission-specific and are jettisoned during flight.

Boeing’s development of the Starliner has been marred by delays and cost overruns. In 2014, NASA awarded Boeing a $4.2 billion contract to develop the spacecraft. However, it took a decade for the Starliner to embark on its first human spaceflight in June 2023. In contrast, SpaceX, which received a $2.6 billion contract for its Crew Dragon spacecraft, successfully delivered astronauts to space by 2020. In fact, Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore are expected to return to Earth aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon.

NASA chief Bill Nelson expressed his confidence in Boeing’s ability to eventually deliver a fully certified Starliner for human spaceflight but made it clear that the company would bear the extra costs. Under the fixed-price contract awarded to Boeing, the company is responsible for all expenses beyond the original agreement as it works to meet NASA’s certification requirements.

Boeing’s struggles with the Starliner have drawn comparisons to similar challenges the company has faced in its aviation sector. The project, which has been significantly delayed and over-budget, mirrors the broader difficulties the aerospace giant has encountered in recent years. Despite these setbacks, both NASA and Boeing remain committed to the Starliner program, emphasizing safety and rigorous testing as they move forward with the spacecraft’s development.

As Boeing continues to work on addressing the spacecraft’s issues, the uncrewed return of the Starliner represents a critical step in gathering additional data to ensure its future success in human spaceflight. The spacecraft’s return without astronauts marks another chapter in Boeing’s ongoing efforts to prove that the Starliner is ready for full operational use in NASA’s ambitious space exploration goals.

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