REUTERS reports that Boeing’s Starliner landed without its crew at White Sands Space Harbor, New Mexico, last night (9/6/2024).
The landing concluded the spacecraft’s three-month test mission that was hobbled by technical issues and forced astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore to remain on the International Space Station (“ISS”) until February of 2025.
Starliner undocked from the ISS at 4:04 PM (MDT) yesterday and began the six-hour return to earth using the same maneuvering thrusters NASA deemed too risky to support a manned return flight. The spacecraft landed in New Mexico, seemingly without a hitch.
The REUTERS article may be read in full HERE.
As previously reported by FGGAM HERE, NASA and Boeing identified helium leaks and control thruster issues as Starliner docked with the ISS on June 6, 2024, resulting in a NASA determination that the spaceship did not meet safety and performance requirements for human spaceflight. Accordingly, astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore remained on the ISS and are scheduled to return to earth aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft on or about February 2025.
Here is a YouTube video of Starliner’s return flight and landing at White Sands Space Harbor (uploaded by ‘VideoFromSpace’):
My brothers and sisters, I’m reasonably sure that astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore wish they could have returned aboard Starliner yesterday, likely assuring formal certification of the spacecraft for crewed spaceflight, but safety is critical, considering NASA’s loss of the Apollo I, Challenger and Columbia crews in the past.
Let’s pray for Astronauts Williams and Wilmore, and all of the astronauts onboard the ISS, seeking God’s blessing and protection upon them as they serve their nations in scientific research for the benefit of us all!
The bible gives us the assurance that God is our protection, refuge and fortress, and that He gives angels charge over us:
Psalm 18:30 (NLT)
“God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to [H]im for protection.”
Psalm 91:1-2 and 9-11 (NKJV)
Safety of Abiding in the Presence of God
“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High [s]hall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; [m]y God, in Him I will trust.’ … Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, [e]ven the Most High, your dwelling place, [n]o evil shall befall you, [n]or shall any plague come near your dwelling; [f]or He shall give His angels charge over you, [t]o keep you in all your ways.”