Boeing’s Starliner capsule is scheduled to undock from the International Space Station (ISS) on Friday evening after a nearly three-month stay.
The capsule will return to Earth without crew, leaving behind two test pilots who will remain on the ISS for an additional five to six months.
The Starliner will detach around 6 p.m. ET and spend about six hours flying through orbit before beginning its reentry, a critical phase where it must withstand intense pressure and heat. Reentry will see the spacecraft slow down with parachutes and deploy airbags for a soft landing in New Mexico at the White Sands Space Harbor.
Concerns over Starliner’s thrusters and helium leaks, discovered during its outbound flight, led NASA to decide against flying crew on the return journey.
While Boeing expressed confidence in the capsule, NASA opted for a cautious uncrewed return.
The spacecraft’s performance will determine whether it will need further testing or can proceed to certification for regular missions.
