Boeing’s troubled Starliner spaceship to return to Earth sans crew

AFP | London

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Boeing’s problem-plagued Starliner is set to finally depart the International Space Station (ISS) yesterday, returning to Earth without astronauts after NASA deemed the risk too great.

The century-old aerospace giant’s reputation has taken a hammering over thruster malfunctions and helium leaks its spaceship encountered on its way up to the orbital outpost in June, and the US space agency’s subsequent decision to fly its crew back on a rival SpaceX Crew Dragon next year.

A smooth, uneventful ride home is critical not only for salvaging some pride but also for Boeing’s prospects of securing certification to fly astronauts in the future.

Starliner will autonomously undock from the space station around 6:04 pm Eastern Time (2204 GMT), landing at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico at approximately 0403 GMT.

NASA opted to bring the ship home without astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams despite Boeing’s assurances of a safe flight.