In June of this year, the Starliner spacecraft was launched into space for mission testing and to finalize the ferry crew and orbital laboratory shake-down. Among the astronauts on board were Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore. However, upon reaching space, the mission encountered unforeseen problems, including thruster malfunctions and helium leaks. As a result, the astronauts were unable to proceed as planned, prompting SpaceX to consider bringing them back to Earth aboard a Crew Dragon spacecraft.
During the mission, scientists identified a bacterium known as *Enterobacter bugandensis*, referred to as a “superbug” due to its resistance to multiple drugs and its growth in closed environments like the International Space Station (ISS). This bacterium poses a risk to the respiratory system and has raised concerns about its impact on crew health.
Returning the astronauts has been complicated by issues with the Starliner’s propulsion system. The spacecraft, which had been stuck in space for nearly 90 days, faced challenges with its return. NASA has announced that Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore will be brought back by early next year using a different spacecraft. They emphasized that attempting to bring the astronauts back using the damaged Starliner would be too risky.
Today, the Starliner spacecraft safely returned to Earth. The gumdrop-shaped capsule landed softly at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico at 9:30 a.m. Parachutes slowed its descent, and airbags cushioned its landing. The spacecraft had departed from the ISS six hours prior to its successful return.
The #Starliner spacecraft is back on Earth.
At 12:01am ET Sept. 7, @BoeingSpace’s uncrewed Starliner spacecraft landed in White Sands Space Harbor, New Mexico. pic.twitter.com/vTYvgPONVc
— NASA Commercial Crew (@Commercial_Crew) September 7, 2024