Starliner Capsule Returns to Earth After Months of Drama

The troubled Boeing Starliner capsule successfully cruised back down to Earth from the International Space Station Friday evening — but no one was onboard.

As we previously reported … Butch Wilmore and fellow astronaut Sunita “Suni” Williams have been stranded on the International Space Station since June 6, due to Starliner’s thruster troubles and helium leaks … after what was supposed to be a week-long stay. They are now stuck on the station for as many as six more months!

The capsule undocked yesterday at 6:04 PT ET … then spent six hours flying back to Earth, where it successfully touched down at New Mexico’s White Sands Space Harbor at 12:01 AM ET, per NASA.

There was no splashdown for the capsule, however … the space vehicle used a parachute and airbags to make its arrival.

As for Butch and Suni  … the duo are now set to return to Earth in February 2025 — hitching a ride on one of Elon Musk‘s SpaceX ships.