The Boeing crew’s taxi returned to Earth from the International Space Station on Wednesday, completing a repeat test flight before NASA astronauts boarded.
It was a quick trip back: the Starliner capsule parachuted into the New Mexico desert just four hours after leaving the orbital laboratory, with airbags attached to soften the landing. Only a mannequin was buttoned inside.
In addition to damage to the thruster and cooling system problems, Starliner seems to have managed to handle its high-stakes cruise 2 years after its failed first attempt. Houston flight attendants applauded and applauded the touchdown.
NASA astronauts will then travel to the space station. The space agency has long wanted two rival US companies to transport astronauts, giving it additional insurance as it has drastically reduced its dependence on Russia for travel to and from the space station.
Elon Musk’s SpaceX is already an established leader, launching astronauts from 2020 and even tourists. His crew’s capsules are sprayed off the coast of Florida; Boeing’s Starliner returns to the US Army’s extensive White Sands missile range in New Mexico.
This image from NASA TV shows a Boeing Starliner approaching the International Space Station last Friday. (NASA / Associated Press)
Boeing stopped its first attempt to reach the space station in 2019, after software bugs left the capsule in the wrong orbit and almost doomed it. The company fixed the shortcomings and tried again last summer, but corroded valves stopped the countdown. After further repairs, Starliner finally took off from Cape Canaveral last Thursday and boarded the space station on Friday.
The astronauts on the station tested Starliner’s communications and computer systems during the five days of the space station. They also unloaded hundreds of kilograms of groceries and other consumables, which flew into the Boeing capsule, then filled it with empty air tanks and other discarded equipment.
A folded U.S. flag sent by Boeing was left behind to be retrieved by Starliner’s first crew.
“We’re a little sad to see her leave,” astronaut Bob Hines said on the radio as the capsule flew.
Along with the ride was the test dummy of Starliner – Rosie the Rocker, taking off on Rosie the Riveter from World War II.
The repairs and repairs cost Boeing nearly $ 600 million.
Add Comment