Boeing's Starliner Spacecraft Returns to Earth
Successful Mission after Docking Issues
Boeing's Starliner spacecraft has successfully landed back on Earth after a six-day mission to the International Space Station (ISS) [1]. The spacecraft, which was launched on May 20, 2023, experienced some docking issues with the ISS [2], but was able to successfully dock on May 23rd [3].
The primary objective of the mission was to test the Starliner's systems and capabilities in preparation for crewed flights to the ISS [4]. Boeing and NASA are working to develop the Starliner as a commercial alternative to SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft, which has been transporting astronauts to and from the ISS since 2020 [5].
Key Mission Highlights
Here are some key highlights of the Starliner's mission: [4]
- The Starliner spacecraft successfully docked with the ISS on May 23rd [3].
- The spacecraft remained docked to the ISS for four days, during which time the crew conducted a series of tests and experiments [6].
- The Starliner spacecraft successfully undocked from the ISS on May 27th [7].
- The spacecraft landed in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California on May 28th [1].
Future Plans for the Starliner
The successful return of the Starliner spacecraft is a major milestone for Boeing and NASA [4]. The spacecraft is now expected to undergo a series of further tests and modifications before it can be certified for crewed flights to the ISS [8]. Boeing is targeting late 2023 or early 2024 for the first crewed flight of the Starliner [5]. The Starliner is expected to play a major role in NASA's plans to return humans to the Moon and Mars in the coming years [2].
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