Boeing's Starliner to return unmanned, Sunita Williams still stuck in space

Boeing’s Starliner capsule is set to return from the International Space Station (ISS) without astronauts onboard, adding to the growing challenges faced by the aerospace giant.

NASA announced on Saturday that due to persistent propulsion system issues, the capsule will return empty, further deepening the financial strain on Boeing, with the Starliner program already facing losses exceeding $1 billion, as reported by CNBC.

Initially, astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams were scheduled to return aboard the Starliner after an extended six-month stay on the ISS. However, due to the ongoing technical issues, they will now return to Earth aboard SpaceX's Crew-9 vehicle in February 2025.

The mission was initially intended to be a nine-day test flight but was delayed due to problems with Starliner's thrusters.

The decision to return the Starliner without a crew was influenced by a "technical disagreement" between NASA and Boeing, with NASA prioritizing the astronauts' safety and opting for SpaceX to handle the return mission. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson emphasized the importance of understanding the root causes of Starliner’s issues and improving its design to ensure it becomes a reliable component of NASA’s crewed missions to the ISS.

"This decision was made after extensive collaboration between NASA and Boeing to ensure we have all the necessary data," Nelson stated. He also highlighted that test flights like the Starliner mission are inherently challenging and far from routine.

NASA will now conduct an additional phase of its Flight Readiness Review to determine the best time to safely bring the uncrewed Starliner capsule back to Earth. Despite Boeing’s assertions that Starliner was ready for an emergency crew return, NASA decided to proceed with an uncrewed mission instead. Nelson, however, remains optimistic about the future of Starliner, expressing confidence that it will eventually carry astronauts again.

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Boeing reaffirmed its commitment to safety, stating, "Our primary focus remains the safety of the crew and spacecraft. We are executing the mission as determined by NASA and are preparing for a safe and successful uncrewed return."

Ken Bowersox, NASA's associate administrator, noted that the decision to use SpaceX for the return was unanimous among NASA officials. SpaceX's Crew-9 vehicle will now accommodate Wilmore and Williams, reducing the number of astronauts on board from four to two to make room for them.

The Starliner capsule, named 'Calypso,' has been docked at the ISS since June, with its mission extended indefinitely due to ongoing issues with its thrusters. What was meant to be a final milestone in Boeing’s crewed spaceflight ambitions has instead turned into a significant setback, casting doubt on the future of the Starliner program.