Boeing's Starliner to come home empty

NASA is set to bring back Boeing's Starliner space capsule on September 6, undocking it from the International Space Station. This decision comes after the capsule's inaugural crewed flight in June, which did not go as planned, leading to the decision to return the capsule empty. Astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry 'Butch' Wilmore, who were part of the initial mission, will instead return to Earth on a SpaceX spacecraft scheduled for launch on September 24. Steve Stich, NASA's commercial crew program manager, expressed excitement about the undocking but acknowledged the tension surrounding the decision to bring the Starliner back without a crew. Despite Boeing's confidence in the capsule's thrusters, NASA deemed it prudent to prioritize safety. The astronauts, who had anticipated an eight-day mission, are prepared for their upcoming return on the SpaceX Crew Dragon. The situation represents a significant setback for Boeing, as the crewless return is viewed as a 'stinging loss' for the company. The June test flight was intended to pave the way for regular operational missions to the ISS, alternating with SpaceX's spacecraft. However, the uncertainty surrounding Starliner's future raises questions about its viability in NASA's commercial crew program. As the space industry continues to evolve, the implications of this event may affect future missions and partnerships. The successful landing of the Starliner, while a technical achievement, may not fully compensate for the missed opportunity to demonstrate its capabilities with a crew on board.