Boeing's Starliner Faces Another Challenge: Empty Return from ISS

Boeing's Starliner capsule is set to return from the International Space Station with empty seats due to safety concerns. NASA's astronauts will remain on the ISS and return with SpaceX. This return attempt is crucial for the capsule, which has faced numerous technical issues and delays.

Boeing will attempt another return of its beleaguered Starliner capsule from the International Space Station later this week, this time with empty seats.

NASA confirmed that the Starliner is scheduled to undock from the space station on Friday evening, aiming for a touchdown at New Mexico's White Sands Missile Range six hours later. The capsule's fully automated return will take place without the NASA astronauts, who will stay behind and return with SpaceX in February.

Washington's commercial crew program manager, Steve Stich, noted it has been a challenging journey to get the Starliner to this point. Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who were supposed to fly back on the Starliner, will remain full-time station crew members and continue their mission aboard the ISS. The astronauts' delay is a part of the complex maneuver to ensure safe travel logistics. Boeing has faced significant issues with the Starliner, ranging from thruster failures to helium leaks, leading to substantial delays and over USD 1 billion in repairs. Despite recent successful thruster tests, NASA deemed it too risky for astronauts to ride back in the capsule.

(With inputs from agencies.)