NASA to Undock Boeing Starliner Capsule

(Reuters) – NASA will proceed with the undocking of the uncrewed Boeing (NYSE:BA) Starliner capsule not before Sept. 6, following a review.

Last week, NASA announced that the two astronauts who flew to the International Space Station (ISS) in the Starliner in June will return to Earth in a SpaceX vehicle early next year.

Issues with Starliner’s propulsion system were considered too risky for a crewed return after the capsule experienced a series of glitches during the first 24 hours of its flight to the ISS.

The journey back to Earth for the Starliner is expected to last approximately six hours from undocking to landing at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico, as noted in a NASA blog post.

Ground teams will remotely guide the spacecraft through the necessary maneuvers for safe undocking, re-entry, and parachute-assisted landing in the southwestern United States.

The Starliner has previously completed successful uncrewed entry and landing during two orbital flight tests, according to the agency.