[UPDATED] Boeing’s Starliner Returned To Earth Without Astronauts

NASA has decided to send Boeing’s Starliner back to Earth without Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams. The astronauts will return to Earth on the SpaceX-powered Crew9 mission slated for February 2025.

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, who were launched into space aboard Boeing’s Starliner in June, now face an unexpected challenge regarding their return to Earth. The spacecraft’s return journey is still uncertain due to emerging issues with Starliner. Surprisingly, the main concern isn’t the spacecraft’s propulsion but problems with spacesuit connections and seating arrangements.

Boeing’s Starliner Comes Home

Updated on 9th September

Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft touched down uncrewed in the New Mexico desert late on Friday, 6 September, concluding a three-month test mission plagued by technical difficulties.

The spacecraft re-entered Earth’s atmosphere at around 11 p.m. ET, travelling at approximately 17,400 miles per hour. About 45 minutes later, it deployed a series of parachutes to slow its descent and inflated airbags just before landing at White Sands Spaceport, located in the desert region of New Mexico.

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams remained on the ISS after NASA identified safety concerns with using the Starliner for crewed missions.

NASA Makes Space For Starliner Astronauts

Update: 2nd September

NASA announced that the SpaceX Crew-9 mission will carry only NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos astronaut Aleksandr Gorbunov to the ISS. This change leaves two seats available in the Crew Dragon for NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who need a ride home after their planned return on the Boeing Starliner was cancelled.

Original Crew-9 commander Zena Cardman and mission specialist Stephanie Wilson, a space shuttle veteran, will not be flying on this mission. However, NASA officials stated that both astronauts “are eligible for reassignment on a future mission.” Nick Hague, initially the Crew-9 pilot, was promoted to commander, while Aleksandr Gorbunov continued his mission specialist role.

Starliner Capsule Gets A Return Date

Updated on 30th August

On the evening of 29 August, NASA announced that the Starliner capsule will leave the International Space Station (ISS) no earlier than next Friday, 6 September, as long as weather conditions are favourable and no technical problems arise.

If everything goes as planned, the capsule will detach from the ISS at 6:04 p.m. EDT (2204 GMT) and land with parachutes six hours later at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico.

Where To Watch Starliner Return Live?

NASA will broadcast live coverage of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft departure from the ISS and its return to Earth. The uncrewed Starliner is set to autonomously undock from the station around 6:04 p.m. EDT on Friday, 6th September, aiming to land at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico at approximately 12:03 a.m. on Saturday, 7th September. Viewers can watch the event live on NASA+, the NASA app, and the agency’s website.

What’s The Problem With The Spacesuits?

The issue with the spacesuits lies in their compatibility with the spacecraft. The suits in question are “intra-vehicular activity” (IVA) suits designed for use inside the spacecraft rather than for spacewalks. These suits are simpler and less bulky than the ones used for extra-vehicular activities (EVAs). Their primary function is to protect astronauts in the event of a capsule atmosphere loss.

The problem arises if Wilmore and Williams must return to Earth aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft. The IVA suits they currently wear, tailored for Boeing’s Starliner, won’t fit properly in Dragon’s seats, creating a significant complication for their potential return journey.

The matter is that Boeing and SpaceX suits were developed with entirely different design philosophies.

SpaceX’s Sci-Fi Spacesuits

SpaceX’s sleek white and black suits resemble sci-fi movie outfits, thanks to costume designer Jose Fernandez, who initially thought the project was for a film. The suits are an innovation, free from traditional space suit designs. They zip up, are custom-fit for each astronaut, and feature integrated smart technology with a single connector for air supply, cooling, and communication.

Boeing Starliner’s Spacesuits

Boeing’s blue Starliner suits, lighter and smaller than those from the Space Shuttle era, weigh under 20 pounds — 40% less than older designs. They were created by Dave Clark’s company, which has a long history in space suit production. These suits use modern zippers instead of metal seals. They also include touchscreen-friendly gloves, reflecting 21st-century upgrades.

Boeing’s spacesuits have a retro look, with metal-valve connectors and classic headsets similar to those of the Apollo astronauts.

What Are The Options For Returning Astronauts?

If an emergency forces Butch and Suni to return to Earth before a solution is found, they might have to come back in the cargo area of a Dragon capsule without their spacesuits. NASA officials will discuss this in a press conference next week.

Another option is to send up suitable spacesuits on a later mission if Starliner can’t bring them home safely.