NASA says operations to launch the Starliner space capsule will begin on the evening of May 24. She will arrive on Earth on the night of May 25 to 26, Paris time.
The Starliner’s space journey did not last very long. While docked to the International Space Station since May 20, the Starliner capsule is already preparing to return. The US space agency has announced that the return flight will take place on May 25, 2022, with the first operations starting on May 24 (Paris time).
We had already known for several days that the Starliner’s stay would be relatively short – between five and ten days, Nasa indicated a short time ago. The calendar was later tightened to five dayswithout specifying the reasons that led Boeing — who makes the capsule — and NASA to opt for the minimum delay. So all that was missing was return flight plan.
How will the Starliner capsule fit
Thus, the closing of the hatch is scheduled for this Tuesday, May 24 at 7:30 p.m. (Paris time). Then will come the undocking, announced on Wednesday May 25 at 8:36 p.m., followed by maneuvers to safely remove the Starliner from the International Space Station. On May 26 at 00:05, the de-orbiting phase will take place, for re-entry into the atmosphere.
The return to Earth will be extremely quick, unlike the outward journey, which took almost 24 hours. Landing in the western United States is scheduled for 12:49 a.m. May 26. The capsule must finish its course on solid ground, slowed down by parachutes and with a shock damped by airbags under the machine. A press conference will then follow.
It should be noted that the capsule will not return empty-handed. It will carry nearly 270 kg of cargo, including reusable nitrogen and oxygen refill system tanks that provide breathable air for station crew members. NASA specifies on this subject that these devices will be recharged and then returned to the ISS one day.
