Boeing's Starliner spacecraft has embarked on its journey back to Earth after being switched to autonomous mode. However, the astronauts it was intended to carry, Nasa's Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, will remain behind on the International Space Station (ISS). The decision comes after technical problems plagued the spacecraft, rendering it too risky for the astronauts' return. Instead, they will now return to Earth in a SpaceX Crew Dragon, extending their stay on the ISS from eight days to a remarkable eight months.

The six-hour flight back for the Starliner will conclude with a descent using parachutes, ultimately landing at the White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico on Saturday. Reports indicate that both astronauts, Butch and Suni, are in good spirits and regularly in contact with their families. Steve Stich, Nasa's commercial crew programme manager, highlighted the astronauts' commitment and understanding of the importance of safely retrieving the vehicle.

This test flight marked the first time Boeing's Starliner was manned, yet it encountered significant problems shortly after its launch on June 5th from Cape Canaveral in Florida. Leaks of helium, crucial for fuel propulsion, and malfunctioning thrusters plagued the capsule, prompting both Boeing and Nasa engineers to spend months troubleshooting the technical issues. However, in late August, Nasa determined that the Starliner was unsafe for the astronauts' return. This decision reportedly created tension between Boeing and Nasa, with Boeing asserting that their spacecraft was capable of safely bringing the astronauts back.

To accommodate the delayed return, Nasa has turned to rival company SpaceX. This adjustment allows SpaceX to launch its next vehicle, scheduled for the end of September, which originally had four astronauts planned but will now transport only two. This alteration ensures that Butch and Suni can join the crew for their return to Earth in February 2023, at the end of the planned extended stay on the ISS.

Dana Weigel, manager of the International Space Station, confirmed that the astronauts are adapting well to their prolonged mission and are diligently following exercise programs to maintain their health in the weightless environment. She noted that they now possess all the necessary gear for their unexpectedly long stay, having received "specific crew preference items" during a resupply mission in July. Additionally, another cargo vehicle will deliver any further requirements for the latter half of their mission.

The technical setbacks faced by the Starliner have undoubtedly affected Boeing, which is already grappling with financial losses and repairing its reputation after recent in-flight incidents and two fatal accidents in the past five years. Consequently, a successful and trouble-free landing for the Starliner is a paramount objective for both Boeing and Nasa. Steve Stich expressed that post-flight analysis would be conducted once the vehicle is retrieved, focusing on the vehicle's future certification.

Nasa has explicitly emphasized its commitment to Boeing's spacecraft, as the agency has long aspired to have two American companies capable of transporting astronauts into space. The reliance on Russia's Soyuz spacecraft for a decade following the retirement of the US space shuttle fleet in 2011 was less than ideal, as acknowledged by Nasa.