Starliner Deploys Drogue, Main Parachutes

Boeing's Starliner spacecraft descends under parachutes toward its landing site in New Mexico during its return to Earth on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024. Photo credit: NASA

NASA's coverage continues as Boeing's uncrewed Starliner spacecraft reaches the final stages of landing.

Around 30,000 feet after atmospheric re-entry, the forward heat shield separated from the spacecraft and the drogue parachutes inflated to help slow down the uncrewed capsule.

About 45 seconds later, at around 8,000 feet, the drogue parachutes separated to make way for three larger main parachutes to deploy, slow down Starliner to 4 miles per hour, and allow an airbag-assisted landing.

Soon, the base heat shield will jettison to expose six airbags that will inflate to assist in a soft landing at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico in just a few minutes at 12 a.m. EDT, Saturday, Sept. 7.

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Watch landing coverage on NASA+, the NASA app, and the agency's website. Learn how to stream NASA programming through a variety of platforms including social media.

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