The Starliner’s first landing
Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner space vehicle ends its uncrewed maiden voyage by successfully landing with its combination of parachutes and impact-cushioning airbags at White Sands, New Mexico. Intended to visit the International Space Station on its first flight, the Starliner’s flight plan changed unexpectedly when a software and sensor mishap during launch put it into the wrong orbit, and used more fuel than expected, making it impossible to reach the same orbit as the ISS. Despite the mishaps, both Boeing and NASA expect the Starliner’s second flight, scheduled for 2020, to include a crew of astronauts.