The Boeing CST-100 Starliner spacecraft lands in White Sands, New Mexico, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)
Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft completed the first land touchdown of a human-rated capsule in U.S. history Sunday at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico, wrapping up the company’s uncrewed Orbital Flight Test as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.
Starliner settled gently onto its airbags at 7:58 a.m. EST (5:58 a.m. MST) in a pre-dawn landing that helps set the stage for future crewed landings at the same site. The landing followed a deorbit burn at 7:23 a.m., separation of the spacecraft’s service module, and successful deployment of its three main parachutes and six airbags.
The Boeing CST-100 Starliner spacecraft is seen after it landed in White Sands, New Mexico, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner landed safely this morning, concluding the company’s Orbital Flight Test for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.
NASA Astronaut Suni Williams, who will command the next mission of the Starliner that landed this morning, named this Orbital Flight Test capsule “Calypso.” The name is an ode to the ship of Jacques Cousteau and invokes the vastness of the sea and space.
Tune into NASA TV for a postlanding news conference at 10:00 a.m. EST with:
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine
Jim Chilton, senior vice president of Boeing’s Space and Launch Division
Steve Stich, deputy manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program
Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner moments after landing in White Sands, New Mexico
Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner touched down safely at White Sands Space Harbor, New Mexico at 7:58 a.m. EST, concluding its Orbital Flight Test for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. Recovery teams are beginning work to retrieve Starliner this morning.
Infrared image of CST-100 Starliner touching down in White Sands, New Mexico
NASA and Boeing will host a postlanding news conference at 10 a.m. EST with:
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine
Jim Chilton, senior vice president of Boeing’s Space and Launch Division
Steve Stich, deputy manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program
To participate in the postlanding news conference via phone bridge, media must contact the newsroom at NASA’s Johnson Space Center at 281-483-5111 no later than 9:45 a.m. The news conference will air live on NASA TV and the agency’s website.
Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner’s parachutes have deployed in preparation for landing at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico. Landing is estimated at 7:57 a.m. EST, approximately one hour before sunrise in the desert.
Tune in to NASA TV now for continuing live coverage.
Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner has separated from its service module. Drogue parachute deployment is expected at approximately 7:53 a.m. EST, with main parachutes deploying soon afterwards.
Tune in now for continuing live NASA TV coverage of the landing at White Sands Space Harbor, New Mexico.
The deorbit burn of Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft is complete. At approximately 7:26 a.m. EST, Starliner will separate from its service module.
Tune in now for continuing live NASA TV coverage of the landing at White Sands Space Harbor, New Mexico.
Landing teams have just completed a go/no go poll for the deorbit burn of Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft on return from its Orbital Flight Test. The deorbit burn will take place at approximately 7:23 a.m. EST.
Tune in now for continuing live NASA TV coverage of the landing at White Sands Space Harbor, New Mexico.
Illustration of Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner landing
Tune in now for live NASA TV coverage of the landing of Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner on return from its Orbital Flight Test for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.
At approximately 7:00 a.m. EST, teams will conduct a go/no go poll for the deorbit burn. Landing is scheduled for 7:57 a.m. EST, approximately one hour before sunrise at White Sands Space Harbor, New Mexico.
Illustration of Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner reentry milestones
NASA and Boeing will provide live coverage this morning of the landing of the company’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft, on return from its Orbital Flight Test for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.
Key Times (all times EST, all times approximate)
Hour/Min/Sec Events
-06:45:00 NASA TV coverage begins
-~07:00:00 Go/no go poll for the deorbit burn
-07:23:47 Deorbit burn
-07:26:00 Starliner separates from its service module
Landing will take place approximately one hour and six minutes before sunrise at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico.
NASA and Boeing will host a postlanding news conference at 10 a.m. with:
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine
Jim Chilton, senior vice president of Boeing’s Space and Launch Division
Steve Stich, deputy manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program
To participate in the postlanding news conference via phone bridge, media must contact the newsroom at NASA’s Johnson Space Center at 281-483-5111 no later than 9:45 a.m. The news conference will air live on NASA TV and the agency’s website.
The uncrewed Starliner spacecraft launched on a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket Friday, Dec. 20, from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
Though Starliner did not reach the planned orbit or dock to the space station as planned, Boeing still was able to complete a number of test objectives. Teams from NASA, Boeing and ULA worked quickly to ensure the spacecraft was in a stable orbit and preserved enough fuel for multiple landing opportunities.
Boeing, in coordination with NASA and the U.S. Army, is working to return its CST-100 Starliner to land in White Sands, New Mexico, on Sunday Dec. 22. NASA TV will air live coverage of the deorbit and landing beginning at 6:45 a.m. EST. The deorbit burn is scheduled for 7:23 a.m. EST, landing for 7:57 a.m. EST.
The uncrewed Boeing Starliner spacecraft launched on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket at 6:36 a.m. Friday, from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on a flight test to the International Space Station. The Starliner did not reach the planned orbit and will not dock to the space station. Teams worked quickly to ensure the spacecraft was in a stable orbit and preserved enough fuel for a landing opportunity.
