Boeing’s Starliner successfully returns to Earth

Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft returned safely to Earth after successfully docking to the International Space Station (ISS) on May 20. Thus, the six-day Boeing Orbital Flight Test-2 mission came to an end.

The first successful test

Launched with the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket, the Boeing Starliner reached the ISS with more than 800 kilos of equipment after 25 hours of flight and docked with the space station. It successfully returned with over 600 kilos of cargo, including the reusable Nitrogen Oxygen Refill System tanks used to supply air to those on the ISS.

First The tests carried out in 2019 were unsuccessful due to the automation system problem of the spacecraft. The problem that ensued caused the Starliner to misfire its thrusters after leaving the rocket and was pushed into the wrong orbit. The second test, carried out last year, failed due to an actuation valve problem.

Boeing will use the data from this successful test for crewed missions that will take astronauts to and from the ISS.