Boeing Starliner Lands Safely in New Mexico After ISS Mission, Reviving U.S. Push for Ground Returns
Updated
Updated · Jalopnik · Jun 3
Boeing Starliner Lands Safely in New Mexico After ISS Mission, Reviving U.S. Push for Ground Returns
3 articles · Updated · Jalopnik · Jun 3
Summary
Starliner completed a safe land landing in New Mexico after an ISS mission, showing a rare U.S. crew capsule recovery on solid ground rather than at sea.
Mach 35 reentry speeds and roughly 20 mph parachute-only descent have long pushed NASA toward ocean splashdowns, which tolerate wider landing errors and cushion impact.
Starliner aims to solve that with inflatable airbag-style landing bags and improved navigation, allowing recovery by ground crews instead of Navy ships and helicopters.
Russia’s Soyuz has long used retrorockets to hit land at about 3 mph, but the system adds weight and limits capacity; Starliner seeks a gentler U.S. alternative.
The landing also points to a broader industry goal: faster, cheaper spacecraft reuse, as U.S. companies try to move astronaut returns from ocean retrievals to precision land recoveries.
As private companies master land returns, why does NASA's Orion still rely on costly and complex ocean splashdowns?
Beyond engineering, what are the hidden environmental impacts of splashing down spacecraft into the ocean?
Starliner’s 286-Day Saga: Technical, Managerial, and Cultural Lessons from Boeing’s Troubled NASA Crew Program
Overview
Boeing's Starliner spacecraft ended its mission with a safe, uncrewed landing at White Sands Space Harbor on September 7, 2024, after spending an unexpected 286 days in orbit. NASA extended the mission beyond its original 45-day limit because Starliner’s in-orbit performance was sufficient, giving teams more time to test and analyze issues. The decision to return Starliner uncrewed was made due to safety concerns from technical problems, especially with the thrusters and helium leaks. This careful approach highlights NASA and Boeing’s focus on safety and thorough problem-solving before future crewed flights.