NASA astronaut Sunita Williams “called down” to the flight control teams just ahead of Starliner’s departure from the International Space Station on Friday (EDT; and Saturday IST). She thanked the teams behind the Starliner mission and said, “…it is time to bring Calypso home”.
“We are just looking at the flight control rosters and like wow, it is the all-star team…it is time to bring Calypso home. You have got this. We have your backs and you’ve got this. Bring her back to Earth,” Sunita Williams said.
Williams’ message was shared by NASA just before the Starliner spacecraft proceeded to depart from the International Space Station and move towards the Earth.
Starliner began its return journey to Earth, without its crew members Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, at 6:04 pm (EDT) on Friday (September 6), or 3:30 am (IST) on Saturday (September 7). It is expected to land in New Mexico around 12 am (EDT), or 9:30 am (IST), on Saturday.
“At 6:04 p.m. EDT, Boeing’s uncrewed Starliner spacecraft undocked from the International Space Station. Starliner is headed for a deorbit burn at 11:17 pm and a targeted landing at 12 am Saturday, September 7, at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico,” NASA said.
“She’s on her way home,” astronaut Sunita Williams radioed after Starliner exited.