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On June 14, the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced that Boeing's Starliner spacecraft will leave the International Space Station (ISS) and return to Earth on June 22.
Earlier this week, NASA said it planned to return the Starliner spacecraft and its crew to Earth on June 18, later than originally planned as analysts examined issues that could affect the journey.
In a joint statement on June 14, NASA and Boeing said the decision to continue postponing the launch to June 22 would allow the Starliner spacecraft more time to prepare for leaving the ISS and returning to Earth, while still being able to respond and take measures to ensure the safety of the crew in case of an emergency.
On June 5, Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft carried two NASA astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, to the ISS. According to the original plan, this ship and its crew were to leave the ISS and return to Earth on June 14.
When scheduling the Starliner's return to Earth, NASA officials in Houston must consider a variety of factors, including repairs to faulty parts on the spacecraft, weather conditions and activities on the ISS such as spacewalks by astronauts.
The CST-200 Starliner crew’s maiden voyage to the ISS is a major milestone for Boeing, as it is seen as a key test before NASA certifies the Starliner for regular flights. The launch comes at a time when Boeing is trying to gain a larger share of NASA’s lucrative business.
