Boeing capsule returns from space station after test flight with no crew
Boeing’s crew taxi returned to Earth from the Worldwide House Station on Wednesday, finishing a repeat take a look at flight earlier than NASA astronauts climb aboard.
It was a fast journey again: the Starliner capsule parachuted into the New Mexico desert simply 4 hours after leaving the orbiting lab, with airbags hooked up to cushion the touchdown. Solely a model was buckled in.
Other than thruster failures and cooling system snags, Starliner appeared to clinch its high-stakes shakedown cruise, 2½ years after its botched first strive. Flight controllers in Houston applauded and cheered the bull’s-eye landing.
“It is nice to have this unimaginable take a look at flight behind us,” stated Steve Stich, director of NASA’s industrial crew program. He described the demo as “extraordinarily profitable,” with all aims met.
Added Boeing’s Mark Nappi: “On a scale of 1 to 10, I feel I might give it a 15.”
Based mostly on these early outcomes, NASA astronauts will strap in subsequent for a visit to the area station. The area company has lengthy wished two competing U.S. corporations ferrying astronauts, giving it added insurance coverage because it drastically diminished its reliance on Russia for rides to and from the area station.
Elon Musk’s SpaceX is already the established chief, launching astronauts since 2020 and even vacationers. Its crew capsules splash down off the Florida coast; Boeing’s Starliner returns to the U.S. Military’s expansive White Sands Missile Vary in New Mexico.
Boeing scrapped its first try to succeed in the area station in 2019, after software program errors left the capsule within the mistaken orbit and almost doomed it. The corporate mounted the failings and tried once more final summer time, however corroded valves halted the countdown. Following extra repairs, Starliner lastly lifted off from Cape Canaveral final Thursday and docked to the area station Friday.
Station astronauts examined Starliner’s communication and pc techniques throughout its 5 days on the area station. Additionally they unloaded a whole bunch of kilograms of groceries and different provides that flew up within the Boeing capsule, then stuffed it with empty air tanks and different discarded gear.
A folded U.S. flag despatched up by Boeing stayed behind, to be retrieved by the primary Starliner crew.
“We’re a bit of unhappy to see her go,” station astronaut Bob Hines radioed because the capsule flew away.
Alongside for the trip was Starliner’s take a look at dummy — Rosie the Rocketeer, a takeoff on the Second World Conflict’s Rosie the Riveter.
The repairs and do-over value Boeing almost $600 million US.
