September 7th 2024.
The highly anticipated landing of Boeing's Starliner spacecraft in the New Mexico desert took place late Friday evening, marking the end of a three-month test mission that encountered its fair share of technical difficulties. Despite these challenges, the spacecraft managed to safely make its way back to Earth, providing crucial data for future missions.
Meanwhile, NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, who had previously flown on Starliner in June, remained on the International Space Station as the spacecraft undocked at 6:04 p.m. ET on Friday. This allowed them to witness the journey back to Earth from a different perspective.
One notable aspect of the Starliner's return was the use of maneuvering thrusters, which had been deemed too risky for crewed flights by NASA just last month. However, their successful implementation during the six-hour journey back to Earth proved to be a major accomplishment for the team.
At approximately 11 p.m. ET, a NASA live stream captured the spacecraft reentering Earth's atmosphere at a staggering speed of 27,400 km per hour. As it descended, parachutes were deployed to slow its speed and airbags were inflated just moments before touchdown at White Sands Space Harbor. It was a sight to behold, showcasing the precision and skill of the entire mission.
While the main goal of the mission was to obtain final certification from NASA, safety concerns led the agency to keep astronauts off the capsule. This decision has raised some uncertainty about the certification path for Starliner, despite its successful return. Nevertheless, the team remains determined to overcome any challenges and continue pushing the boundaries of space exploration.
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