Boeing's Starliner: Another Attempt Amid Persistent Challenges

Boeing will return its Starliner capsule from the ISS later this week. The capsule, facing numerous issues, will come back empty. NASA's astronauts will stay behind and return with SpaceX in February. Boeing has faced significant challenges with Starliner, including thruster failures and propulsion leaks, delaying its missions repeatedly.

Boeing is poised to return its embattled Starliner capsule from the International Space Station later this week, but with no crew on board.

NASA confirmed Wednesday that the Starliner capsule is on schedule to undock Friday evening and land in New Mexico's White Sands Missile Range six hours later. Despite being automated, the spacecraft has endured a series of setbacks, from thruster issues to helium leaks.

The two NASA astronauts who flew up on Starliner will remain aboard the ISS, slated for a February return with SpaceX. This decision came after persistent mission delays and safety concerns. Boeing's lengthy struggle with the Starliner included a problematic initial test flight in 2019 and subsequent $1 billion reparations. The capsule experienced multiple thruster and propulsion issues even in its latest mission.

In preparation for Starliner's return, astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams will secure the hatches between the capsule and the ISS. The Dragon capsule from SpaceX will launch with a scaled-down crew to accommodate the returning astronauts. Engineers will conduct additional firings of Starliner's 28 thrusters before its descent, aiming to gather critical data.

Nine SpaceX crews have already completed successful missions for NASA, setting a high bar for Boeing's Starliner program.

(With inputs from agencies.)