NASA announced that the uncrewed Boeing Starliner capsule is expected to undock from the International Space Station (ISS) no earlier than September 6, following a recent review. This decision comes after the capsule encountered propulsion system issues deemed too risky for a crewed return.
The return journey from the ISS is anticipated to take about six hours, ending with a landing at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico. Ground teams will guide the spacecraft remotely through undocking, re-entry, and a parachute-assisted landing. NASA noted that Starliner has successfully completed two previous uncrewed entries and landings during earlier orbital flight tests.
This return is part of NASA’s broader plan, which includes bringing the astronauts who flew to the ISS on Starliner back to Earth in a SpaceX vehicle early next year due to the identified risks associated with Starliner’s propulsion system.
