NASA has confirmed the separation of the Starliner shuttle from the International Space Station (ISS) scheduled for September 7, 2024, at 00:04 (Spanish peninsular time). This mission marks a crucial step in the ongoing saga of Boeing's Starliner, which has faced numerous challenges since its launch in June. The spacecraft will return to Earth without a crew, as NASA has opted to send astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams back in a SpaceX vehicle in February 2025 due to concerns over the Starliner's reliability.
The Starliner will perform a rapid maneuver to distance itself from the ISS before initiating its deorbit procedure, culminating in a landing at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico approximately six hours later. Engineers are preparing for this operation, which includes testing the thrusters shortly after separation. Despite previous issues, NASA remains hopeful that this mission will provide valuable data for future crewed flights.
Tensions between Boeing and NASA have surfaced as the latter has expressed doubts about the Starliner's ability to safely transport astronauts. The decision to delay crew return has strained relations, particularly after a summer filled with setbacks. The upcoming return flight will be closely monitored, with any anomalies potentially leading to further delays in the Starliner's operational timeline.
