Starliner Spacecraft Undocks, Prepares for Earth Return

Today, at 5:04 p.m. CT, NASA's Starliner spacecraft successfully undocked from the International Space Station (ISS), beginning its journey back to Earth. The operation took place while the ISS was approximately 260 statute miles over Central China. Starliner’s mission control team had completed thorough weather checks for the intended landing at White Sands Space Harbor, New Mexico, ensuring suitable conditions such as low winds and clear visibility. The spacecraft executed a series of short thruster burns, known as 'breakout burns,' to safely separate from the ISS and exit the approach ellipsoid, an essential safety boundary for spacecraft operations near the station. Following this successful undocking, Starliner will commence its descent with a scheduled deorbit burn at 10:17 p.m. CT, leading to landing around midnight ET. As the mission progresses, the International Space Station will prepare for upcoming crew rotations, with new astronauts launching next week. The entire operation exemplifies the meticulous planning involved in space travel, similar to a coordinated ballet performance where each move must be choreographed to achieve a flawless execution of the final act. As teams monitor Starliner’s return, the collaboration exemplifies the complexities and strategies of human spaceflight.