Starliner Returns to Earth Without Sunita Williams: Know Where and How the Landing Took Place
The Starliner spacecraft, which transported astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore to the International Space Station (ISS), has successfully returned to Earth. The spacecraft made a safe landing at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico at approximately 9:30 AM IST. However, Williams and Wilmore will remain aboard the ISS as part of NASA's Crew-9 mission and are expected to return to Earth in February 2025 via SpaceX's Dragon capsule.
On June 5, when the Starliner took Williams and Wilmore to the ISS, a technical issue delayed its scheduled return. NASA and Boeing, the company behind Starliner, decided not to bring the astronauts back using the spacecraft. Although Boeing was confident in the spacecraft's ability to ensure a safe return, NASA deemed the return "risky." After a three-month delay, the Starliner successfully completed its return to Earth.
The uncrewed #Starliner spacecraft is backing away from the @Space_Station after undocking from the Harmony module's forward port at 6:04pm ET (2204 UTC). pic.twitter.com/uAE38ApiJw
— NASA (@NASA) September 6, 2024
According to NASA, the Starliner undocked from the ISS at 3:30 AM IST and landed at 9:32 AM IST in the desert region of White Sands, New Mexico. Video footage of the landing showed the spacecraft deploying its three parachutes just before touchdown, allowing for a smooth and safe landing.
When Will Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore Return?
The Starliner initially transported Williams and Wilmore to the ISS for an 8-day mission, with a scheduled return on June 13. However, technical issues, including thruster malfunctions and a helium leak, prevented the spacecraft's timely return. Now, the two astronauts will remain on the ISS for eight months as part of NASA’s Crew-9 mission, pushing their return to February 2025.
Touchdown, #Starliner! The uncrewed spacecraft landed at New Mexico's White Sands Space Harbor at 12:01 am ET (0401 UTC) on Saturday, Sept. 7. pic.twitter.com/Q5lITEzATn
— NASA (@NASA) September 7, 2024
NASA had initially planned to launch four astronauts as part of the Crew-9 mission, but recent changes mean that only two astronauts will be launched aboard SpaceX's Dragon capsule. Williams and Wilmore, who are already on the ISS, will join this mission. The Crew-9 mission is expected to launch by the end of this month.
A Short Mission Turns Into 8 Months in Space
Sunita Williams, born in 1965 in the U.S. to Indian parents, has been a NASA astronaut since 1998. Over her career, she has participated in multiple space missions, including trips to space in 2006 and 2012, accumulating 322 days in space. This mission was originally planned as an 8-day trip, but technical problems with the Starliner have turned it into an 8-month stay.
Williams and Wilmore will now continue their work aboard the ISS as part of the extended mission, with their return to Earth scheduled for February 2025.
