Starliner Successfully Concludes Mission After Crew Abandonment
The Journey of Starliner
After leaving its crew behind in orbit, Boeing's Starliner spacecraft successfully undocked from the International Space Station on Friday. The unpiloted mission concluded with an on-target touchdown in New Mexico at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time Saturday.
Flight Challenges and Successful Maneuvers
Despite NASA's concerns about earlier thruster problems and multiple helium leaks within the propulsion system, the Starliner executed critical maneuvers flawlessly. Undocking at 6:04 p.m. EDT, it performed a crucial 59-second deorbit braking maneuver at 11:17 p.m.
Return to Earth
- Starliner re-entered the atmosphere at 400,000 feet above the Pacific Ocean.
- The spacecraft descended over the Baja Peninsula and northern Mexico.
- It successfully landed using parachutes and airbags in the New Mexico desert.
NASA and Boeing recovery teams were on standby for the landing, demonstrating their readiness for future missions.
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