Boeing's Starliner capsule recently made headlines as it returned to Earth without its astronauts on board, marking the end of its highly anticipated Crew Flight Test (CFT). The touchdown took place on September 6, 2024, at White Sands Space Harbor, New Mexico, following its separation from the International Space Station (ISS) about six hours prior. The mission has been anything but straightforward, as the spacecraft was originally set for just over a week-long stay at the ISS, but factors related to technical difficulties forced it to remain aloft for much longer.
The drama started when the Starliner, which launched on June 5, 2024, encountered serious issues shortly after liftoff. Engineers discovered helium leaks and weaknesses with the propulsion thrusters, which raised serious concerns about the safety of astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. Despite buoyant optimism about the flight, these complications proved too great. Consequently, NASA made the tough call to prioritize safety over schedule, opting to leave the two pilots aboard the ISS until February 2025.
NASA officials had hoped this mission would pave the way for operational crew flights by firmly establishing the capabilities of Starliner as Boeing's astronaut taxi service. This would mark the first major milestone for Boeing since being awarded the contract alongside SpaceX, which has been flying successful missions since 2020. Starliner's delayed entry, marred by software glitches and thruster problems from earlier test flights, has left many wondering how much longer delays will continue.
After launching, the capsule’s departure from the ISS looked promising. It engaged its thrusters at the appointed time, executing what NASA described as a "perfect" undocking maneuver. Following this sharp separation, it began collecting valuable data to understand its operational readiness for future crewed missions.
Nevertheless, the fear of thruster failure lingered. Four out of 28 reaction control system (RCS) thrusters malfunctioned either completely or underperformed, and more than one helium leak was reported, which led to heated discussions inside NASA. The question on everyone’s lips—was the spacecraft safe to bring the astronauts back home? NASA’s final decision was to utilize SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule for their return, allowing them to safely ride back after what will be more than eight months of separation from Earth.
Marking the conclusion of this chapter for the Starliner, flight manager Steve Stich acknowledged the struggle: “It’s our goal to keep two companies involved for cargo and crew transport services.” This comment underlines NASA's commitment to support competition and innovation within the aerospace industry.
The challenges Starliner faced are reminiscent of the early days of upstart aerospace initiatives. Back during its first uncrewed flight attempt, the capsule was unable to reach the ISS due to significant software issues. A second attempt, though slightly more successful, revealed numerous flaws, which cost Boeing over $1 billion to rectify. Meanwhile, SpaceX, which has executed crewed flights since 2020, is gearing up for its tenth such mission later this month.
Adding to the sense of urgency surrounding the Starliner program is the future operational timeline. Boeing aims to have Starliner ready for its first operational crewed flight—tentatively scheduled for August 2025—but whether this timeline will be met now remains uncertain. NASA's Stich pointed out the amount of hard work left: “We’ve got some things we know we’ve got to go work on. We’ll do those things and fly when we’re ready.”
So what’s next for the troubled craft? Investigators will take deep dives analyzing the thruster overheating issues tied to ‘’doghouses’’ - protective compartments for thrusters—and potential modifications to cool the devices during operations. NASA plans to conduct more ground tests, where “feedback from those tests will shape future schedules,” as noted by deputy associate administrator Joel Montalbano.
Despite the setbacks, there were successes worth mentioning. Starliner’s entry, descent, and landing went off without major hitches. Mobile and automated systems all operated as they were intended, which demonstrates the work Boeing has accomplished to get this far. A post-landing press conference reported mission objectives were achieved by about 85 to 90%, with many optimistic about the data collected during the flight.
This mission continues to ellicit feedback from the public, all seeking insight on what it will take to revitalize faith and operational confidence back to the Starliner program. Each step forward is measured, each piece of data analyzed to refine processes and streamline operations for future flights.
With astronauts Wilmore and Williams remaining aboard the ISS for several more months, excitement and anxiety will reign, not just for them, but for all involved with the Boeing Starliner program as each learns from the mission's hurdles. The spotlight now turns to upcoming tests, where every step could redefine future intergalactic travel for humanity.
