Boeing Starliner undocks from ISS without Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore; here’s why |

On September 6, 2024 Boeing‘s Starliner Spacecraft undocked from the International Space Station (ISS) and began its journey back to Earth. Undock took place at 6:04 p.m. EST and was streamed live on NASA’s website. This mission was particularly notable because the spacecraft returned without the astronauts it had originally carried into space.
NASA astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams were part of the first crewed test flight of the Starliner, which launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on June 5, 2024. The mission was expected to last about a week, but several problems with the spacecraft extended their stay on the ISS. The problems included helium leaks and faulty engines, which led NASA to decide that the spacecraft was too risky to return the crew to Earth.

The decision to return the Starliner without a crew was made on August 24, 2024. Representatives from NASA and Boeing expressed confidence that the spacecraft can return safely despite the problems encountered. Steve Stich, program manager for NASA Commercial Crew Programstated: “We have confidence in the vehicle … We have had two good landings so far and expect another on Friday.”
The Starliner is part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, which aims to certify spacecraft for routine missions to and from the ISS. The spacecraft’s return trip was planned for a landing at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico at approximately 12:03 a.m. EST on September 7, 2024. This landing site has been used for previous Starliner missions and is well equipped for the spacecraft’s return.
Wilmore and Williams prepared the Starliner for departure by modifying the spacecraft’s seats for an unmanned landing and packing cargo inside so it could be picked up by ground crew. They also returned the standard emergency equipment for visitor vehicles stored in the Starliner for future missions to the ISS.
Starliner faced challenges even before its launch. The flight test was originally scheduled for May 6, 2024, but was postponed due to a problem with an oxygen valve on a United Launch Alliance (ULA) rocket. The new launch date was set for May 25, 2024, but a small helium leak in the service module caused another delay. Despite these setbacks, the spacecraft successfully launched on June 5, 2024.
During the time Starliner was docked to the ISS, several problems arose that required extensive troubleshooting. Engineers determined that parts of the propulsion system were likely getting too hot or were exposed to propellant vapors, causing some materials to bulge or corrode. These findings led to the decision to return the spacecraft without a crew.
The safe return of the Starliner is of crucial importance for the overall Boeing Starliner program. NASA and Boeing continue to collect test data to ensure the spacecraft can conduct routine missions to and from the ISS. Starliner’s next crewed mission is scheduled for February 2025, when Wilmore and Williams are expected to return to Earth aboard SpaceX’s Crew-9 Dragon spacecraft.
The successful undocking and return of Starliner represents an important milestone in NASA’s efforts to certify new spacecraft for human spaceflight. Despite the challenges, the mission demonstrates the resilience and adaptability of both the spacecraft and the teams involved in its development and operations.