Starliner Returns Earth Without Sunita Williams And Wilmore

NASA shared a message from astronaut Sunita Williams, who addressed the flight control teams just ahead of the Boeing Starliner spacecraft's departure from the International Space Station (ISS). Sunita Williams expressed her gratitude to the teams involved in the Starliner mission and said, "it is time to bring Calypso home."

Sunita Williams Message:

Sunita Williams complimented the flight control teams, noting, "We are just looking at the flight control rosters and like, wow, it is the all-star team...it is time to bring Calypso home. You’ve got this. We have your backs and you’ve got this. Bring her back to Earth," directing to the Starliner spacecraft named Calypso.

The Boeing Starliner Return To Earth:

The Boeing Starliner began its return journey to Earth at 6:04 p.m. EDT on Friday, September 6 (3:30 a.m. IST on Saturday, September 7), without its crew members Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore. The spacecraft is anticipated to land in New Mexico around 12 a.m. EDT (9:30 a.m. IST) on Saturday, September 7.

NASA confirmed, "At 6:04 p.m. EDT, Boeing’s uncrewed Starliner spacecraft undocked from the International Space Station. Starliner is scheduled for a deorbit burn at 11:17 p.m. EDT and a targeted landing at 12 a.m. EDT Saturday, September 7, at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico." 

Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore Stuck In Space:

Sunita Williams, an Indian-origin American, is currently stuck in space with Butch Willmore. They were aboard the Boeing Starliner capsule, which launched on June 5 for a week-long mission to the International Space Station. 

However, due to technical issues such as a malfunctioning Reaction Control System (RCS) and helium leaks, their stay has been prolonged. 

As a result, NASA decided to have the spacecraft return to Earth uncrewed. Williams and Willmore will now remain aboard the ISS and are scheduled to return to Earth in February 2025 aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft as part of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission.