Starliner spacecraft returns to Earth without crew

The Boeing-designed Starliner spacecraft landed without its crew in the New Mexico desert late yesterday, ending a three-month test mission that was hampered by technical problems, forcing the two astronauts it transported to the International Space Station to remain there until next year. NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who became the first pair to fly a Starliner in June, remained aboard the International Space Station as the craft undocked autonomously late last night for a six-hour journey back to Earth. Technical problems with the capsule's thrusters have extended what was supposed to be an eight-day mission to eight months, and NASA announced last week that the astronauts will return to Earth in February 2025 aboard a vehicle designed by Boeing rival SpaceX, after being loaded with food and additional supplies. Five of the Starliner's 28 thrusters failed while Wilmore and Williams were aboard during their approach to the International Space Station in June, while the same propulsion system caused several leaks of helium, which is used to boost the thrusters. Boeing hopes to recover the Starliner capsule after it lands in New Mexico and continue its investigation into what caused the thrusters to fail in space. Source: National Iraqi News Agency