Boeing’s Starliner mission, which was intended to be a significant milestone for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, has reached an unexpected conclusion. After a series of technical challenges, the spacecraft returned to Earth without its astronauts, a pivotal incident in the ongoing development of this spacecraft.

The Journey to the International Space Station

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams launched aboard Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner in June 2024 as part of a crew flight test. This mission was initially planned for a brief stay, totaling just over a week, to verify the spacecraft’s capabilities in transporting astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). However, due to various operational difficulties, including thruster malfunctions and helium leaks, the mission extended for nearly ten months.

Starliner Returns Without Crew

In September 2024, NASA made the decision to bring the Starliner back to Earth, opting to execute an uncrewed landing. This development raised questions about the future of the mission, as both Wilmore and Williams were left waiting for an alternative method to return home.

The Transition to SpaceX’s Crew Dragon

While the Starliner awaited its return, NASA arranged for the astronauts to fly back aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon vehicle. This arrangement was facilitated by the Crew-9 mission, which carried additional astronauts, allowing space for Wilmore and Williams to board.

Upcoming Launch Plans

NASA and SpaceX are targeting March 12, 2025, for the launch of the Crew-10 mission, which will carry an international crew to the ISS. This launch will clear the way for the Crew-9 astronauts’ return, which will include Wilmore and Williams. NASA’s space station program manager Dana Weigel explained, “When we looked at the situation at the time, we had a Crew-9 launch in front of us. It made sense to take the opportunity to bring Crew-9 up with just two seats and have Butch and Suni fill in and do the rest of the long-duration mission.”

Next Steps for NASA Astronauts

Anticipating their arrival back on Earth, Wilmore and Williams are scheduled to return in February 2025 after successfully concluding their mission aboard the ISS. The Crew-9 mission will mark a significant transition, as it showcases the continued collaboration between NASA and commercial partners in ensuring a reliable path to space.