Starliner Returns Solo; Astronauts Extend Space Stay Until 2025

Boeing's Starliner spacecraft made a safe return to Earth on Saturday, landing back without astronauts after a three-month journey to the International Space Station (ISS). The uncrewed touchdown at New Mexico's White Sands Space Harbor was confirmed by Boeing and NASA in separate announcements. 
 
The decision to bring back the Starliner uncrewed was taken last month due to concerns over safety and performance requirements for human spaceflight. The move allowed both NASA and Boeing to continue gathering valuable data about Starliner’s performance while not accepting more risk than necessary for its crew. 
 
On board the ISS are Indian-origin astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Willmore, who were initially scheduled to return on the Starliner but will now be returning in February 2025 with the SpaceX Crew-9 mission. Both astronauts flew aboard the Starliner for a week-long mission. However, as they approached their destination, they encountered several technical issues, such as malfunctioning thrusters and helium leaks within the propulsion system. 
 
While Boeing maintained that the issues did not compromise the safety of crew members onboard, NASA officials expressed their disagreement with this assessment during a critical review meeting held last week. According to NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, "the decision to keep Butch and Suni aboard the International Space Station is indicative of our commitment towards ensuring safety." 
 
NASA further confirmed that both Williams and Willmore are safe aboard the ISS, along with Expedition 71 crew consisting of other international astronauts including Matthew Dominick, Mike Barratt from the USA, Jeanette Epps, Tracy C. Dyson, Russian cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko, Nikolai Chub, and Alexander Grebenkin, among others. 
 
Despite being stranded unexpectedly longer than anticipated on ISS due to these unforeseen circumstances surrounding their return trip via Starliner spacecraft, both Williams and Wilmore have been actively involved in station research activities like testing systems associated with Starliner apart from performing maintenance tasks. 
 
They also recently completed research on fiber optic cables and growing plants in space. This not only contributes towards expanding our understanding of life in microgravity but also helps pave the way for future long-term space missions. 
 
This unexpected turn of events has once again highlighted the challenges associated with human spaceflight and emphasized the importance of safety over all else. Boeing's Starliner spacecraft will continue to be closely monitored as it undergoes further tests and evaluations before being deemed fit for carrying astronauts back from the ISS. 
 
While this incident may have caused a temporary setback, both NASA and Boeing remain committed to their goal of ensuring safe, reliable transportation to and from the International Space Station as they continue to work together on advancing human exploration beyond low-Earth orbit.