Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft safely landed in a New Mexico desert late September 6,2024. The landing was smooth despite the spacecraft being delayed months from its original schedule and flying without its intended astronauts.

The spacecraft re-entered Earth’s atmosphere at about 27,400 km/h (17,025 mph) around 11:00 pm ET. It then deployed parachutes and inflated airbags before touching down at White Sands Space Harbor.

Originally, Nasa astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore were supposed to return to Earth in the Starliner after launching in June. However, due to thruster failures and helium leaks, they stayed at the ISS and will return in February on a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft.

The Starliner capsule returned with empty seats and spacesuits, as well as some old equipment from the space station.