Starliner Undocking: NASA and Boeing are all prepared to bring back the Starliner spacecraft without astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry 'Butch' Williams, who it took to the International Space Station in June. Though it will be an uncrewed flight, safety and success of the mission remain crucial. The Boeing capsule's June mission was the first crew test flight, and NASA's approval for its future commercial operations depended on its success. 


The faults detected in the spacecraft, which led to the NASA decision to bring it back without the astronauts keeping their safety in mind, dealt a blow to the mission. Boeing is now looking forward to a successful undocking and landing of the spacecraft. While the undocking is scheduled on Friday, September 6 at 6.04 pm EDT (3:34 am IST, Saturday, September 7), a parachute-assisted landing of the capsule is being targeted at 12:03 am EDT (9:33  am IST) on Saturday, September 7.  


NASA said Thursday mission managers will conduct a series of operational checks, and weather checks too, before the Starliner spacecraft undocks from the space station. 


NASA will telecast live coverage of the undocking process from 5:45 pm EDT (3:15 am IST, Saturday).



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Where Will The Starliner Spacecraft Land?


The potential landing locations for the Starliner mission were the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico; Willcox in Arizona; and the Dugway Proving Ground in Utah, besides Edwards Air Force Base in California, which could be used as a contingency site, NASA said on its website. 


According to article, the space agency analyses weather predictions for the various sites 24 hours before undocking. The selected landing site must have winds blowing at 6 mph (approximately 6 knots) or less if the spacecraft is flying with crew. When uncrewed,  winds should blow at approximately 13 mph (12 knots) or less. Ground temperatures of above 15 degrees Fahrenheit, a cloud ceiling of at least 1,000 feet, and one nautical mile of visibility are other requirements.


Besides, the area must have no thunderstorms, lightning, and precipitation within a radius of around 35 km. 


NASA has chosen White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico as the landing site for the uncrewed Starliner spacecraft.




Once the undocking process begins, the spacecraft should reach the landing site in around six hours' time after completing a series of departure burns. 


A final weather check will be done before the deorbit burn, and a go-ahead will be given if the wind speed is at or below 10 mph (9 knots). If not, the Starliner will have to delay the departure by 24 to 31 hours, according to NASA. 


If everything goes as planned, NASA will address the media at 11 am IST after the landing, and share insights from the mission.


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