Boeing's Starliner capsule will leave the International Space Station today (September 6) without astronauts, and you can watch it live. The livestream of Starliner's return will start at 5:45 p.m. (2145 GMT) and will include the capsule's undocking at 6:04 p.m. (2204 GMT). Tune in on Space.com or NASA Television to watch.
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Boeing's Starliner Set for Return: Key Details on Undocking, Re-Entry, and Landing- Boeing's Starliner spacecraft is preparing for its journey back to Earth in the early hours of Saturday, September 7. Following technical difficulties experienced during its mission to the International Space Station (ISS) on June 5, Starliner will now return uncrewed. The spacecraft is expected to undock from the ISS and make its descent to White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico.
Here’s what you need to know about the Starliner’s return:
Undocking and Re-Entry Schedule:
Undocking: Starliner is set to undock from the ISS at 6:04 p.m. EDT on Friday, September 6, or 3:30 a.m. IST on Saturday. Live coverage will start at 3:15 a.m. IST. You can watch the undocking live on NASA’s YouTube channel and website. Re-Entry and Landing: The spacecraft will take approximately six hours to reach White Sands Space Harbor, with landing expected at 12:03 a.m. EDT on Saturday, September 7, or 9:30 a.m. IST. The live stream of the landing will commence at 8:20 a.m. IST.Mission Details:
Starliner’s hatch was closed by astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore on Thursday, signaling the spacecraft’s readiness for its return journey. As Starliner undocks, it will slowly drift away from the ISS, undergo a flyaround inspection, and then perform a series of burns to position itself for re-entry. During landing, Starliner will jettison its heat shields, deploy parachutes, and inflate airbags to ensure a safe touchdown on solid ground—a first for an American orbital capsule.Crew Status:
Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who launched aboard Starliner on June 5, will remain aboard the ISS and are scheduled to return to Earth aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft in February 2025.
Background:
Initially, Starliner’s mission included returning the two astronauts, but due to identified technical issues, including helium leaks and thruster problems, NASA decided that the spacecraft would return uncrewed to ensure safety.
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