As the clock ticked toward midnight on September 6, 2024, the eyes of space enthusiasts and the general public alike were glued to the skies, awaiting the dramatic return of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. This is not just any return; it marks the completion of a journey that began 14 years ago with high hopes but faced significant challenges along the way.
The unmanned Starliner is scheduled to begin its deorbit burn at 11:17 p.m. EDT, putting the spacecraft on a trajectory back through Earth’s atmosphere. This burn will be crucial because it will slow the spacecraft enough for gravity to pull it back toward Earth. The planned landing site is White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico, a location chosen for its wide, flat area, making it ideal for landing spacecraft.
The descent will serve not only to test the Starliner’s heat shield, but also its parachute system, which was redesigned after previous tests. Successful deployment of these parachutes, followed by airbags, will be critical for a soft landing expected at 12:03 a.m. EDT on Sept. 7.
The post-landing press conference is scheduled for 1:30 a.m. EDT.
Watch it live here:
NASA astronauts offered words of encouragement to the mission control team overseeing the undocking of the Boeing Starliner from the ISS.
Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who will remain aboard the ISS as the unmanned Starliner returns to Earth, expressed confidence in the flight control team that will manage the capsule’s return.
“It’s time to bring Calypso home. You can do this,” Williams said of the Starliner. “We’re supporting you. Bring her back to Earth safely.”
Starliner, carrying NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, launched on its first crewed mission on June 5 and successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS) the following day. However, the mission, which was intended to demonstrate Boeing’s ability to carry astronauts into space, encountered obstacles. Problems with helium leaks and malfunctioning reaction control thrusters during the approach to the ISS raised concerns about the spacecraft’s reliability for the return flight.
After weeks of analysis and deliberation, NASA made the unprecedented decision on August 24 to allow the Starliner to return to Earth without a crew. This decision underscored the priority of astronaut safety. Astronauts Wilmore and Williams remained on board the ISS and returned in February 2025 on a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft.
