Starliner Set to Leave ISS Sans Sunita Williams Today: How to Watch Live Undocking & Landing

New Delhi: The Boeing Starliner spacecraft which carried Indian-origin Sunita William and another NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore to the  International Space Station (ISS) on June 5 is all set to begin its return journey to Earth on September 6 (US local time).

The Starliner spacecraft has been docked at the International Space Station (ISS) for over three months due to helium leakage and several thrusters' failure. The test crew flight with the two astronauts was supposed to return to Earth in just a week, after it arrived at the space station on June 6. 

Both Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have completed final preparations for the spacecraft's empty return to Earth, marking the end of a challenging test mission. The hatch on the Starliner was closed by the Nasa astronauts late on Thursday, setting the stage for its undocking from the International Space Station (ISS) on Friday (US local time). 

In a diligently carried out process, Williams and Wilmore removed Starliner's crew seats to optimize space for cargo storage. This modification facilitates efficient packing of materials destined for return to Earth.

According to reports, the astronauts conducted a thorough photographic survey and inspection of the spacecraft's cabin, ensuring all systems are ready for the much-awaited departure.

Starliner to Undertake 6-Hour Journey

The spacecraft is scheduled to undock from the ISS's Harmony module at 3:34 am IST on Saturday. After departing from the space station, it will embark on a six-hour journey to land on Earth. The spacecraft will culminate its jorney after landing at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, as per NASA.

This will be an uncrewed return flight which will mark the conclusion of the test flight undertaken by it three months ago. This will marks a crucial step in Nasa's Commercial Crew Program, as it will provide valuable data on Starliner's performance during reentry and landing.

However, the space mission has been marred by technical issues, including helium leaks and thruster problems, which led to the decision to bring the spacecraft back without its crew.

Watch Live Undocking & Landing of Starliner Here: 

The live video of Starliner's departure from orbiting laboratory can be be watched via the NASA YouTube video below:
 

The live undocking video can also be watched via this link: Undocking video

Sunita Still Stuck in Space

Wilmore and Sunita Williams had launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft on June 5 for its first crewed flight which arrived at the space station on June 6. As Starliner approached the orbiting laboratory, NASA and Boeing identified helium leaks and experienced issues with the spacecraft reaction control thrusters. After concerns over the safety of the astronauts, NASA announced on August 24 that Starliner would return to Earth from the station without any crew. Wilmore and Williams will remain aboard the station and return home in February 2025 aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft with two other crew members assigned to NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission.