Starliner Successfully Undocks from ISS, Heads Home

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On schedule, Starliner undocked from the International Space Station (ISS) at 5:04 PM Central and is now on a trajectory towards Earth. This event marks a significant milestone in a mission aimed at testing both operational and automated flight features of the spacecraft. The craft's landing is anticipated at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico around 11:00 PM Central time. Before undocking, the mission control team held detailed weather briefings to ensure optimal landing conditions, confirming that the site met necessary weather criteria. Starliners thrusters executed several breakout burns that helped separate the spacecraft from the ISS smoothly, with all operations reported as nominal. As the journey back to Earth continues, preparations are underway for upcoming crew rotations on the ISS, marking a busy period ahead. Starliner crew and mission managers are now focused on the upcoming deorbit sequence, with precision required for safe re-entry and landing after a successful mission phase.
Highlights
  • • Starliner spacecraft undocked from the ISS at 5:04 PM Central.
  • • Landing targeted at White Sands Space Harbor around 11:00 PM Central.
  • • Final weather checks confirmed suitable conditions for landing.
  • • Starliner completed several successful breakout burns post-undocking.
  • • Mission control responsible for monitoring systems during re-entry.
  • • Upcoming crew rotations planned following Starliner's return.
  • • Starliner navigated away from ISS at a rate of 12 m per hour.
  • • All systems are reported nominal by Starliner mission control.
  • • Next mission milestones include entry cover closure and deorbit burn.
  • • NASA's Don Pettit and others set for launch from Kazakhstan next week.
* dvch2000 helped DAVEN to generate this content on 09/07/2024 .

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