Boeing's Starliner returns uncrewed as NASA picks SpaceX to bring back astronauts

NASA will return Boeing's faulty Starliner capsule to Earth without astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who will return to Earth on a SpaceX vehicle early next year, NASA chief Bill Nelson said on Saturday.

Starliner launched its first two astronauts, both former military test pilots, into space on June 5 as a crucial test before it can receive NASA approval for routine flights. But what was supposed to be an eight-day mission docked to the ISS has been drawn out by months after the capsule sprang leaks and some of its thrusters failed.

Here's a rundown of key events in Starliner's journey to space over the past few years:

Sept. 4, 2015 - Boeing takes the wraps off an assembly plant for its first line of commercial spaceships, which NASA plans to use to fly crews to the ISS.

Nov. 4, 2019 - Boeing says one of three parachutes failed to open during a crucial unmanned test of the Starliner.

Dec. 20, 2019 - Boeing successfully launches its new astronaut capsule on an uncrewed debut journey to the ISS.

Dec. 22, 2019 - The spacecraft makes a "bullseye" landing in the New Mexico desert.

Jan. 7, 2020 - NASA and Boeing investigate a software glitch that prevented the unmanned capsule from reaching the ISS in its Dec. 2019 flight.

Feb. 6, 2020 - The NASA review panel says Boeing narrowly missed a "catastrophic failure" during its December flight test.

Aug. 25, 2020 - The first Starliner crewed mission is tentatively slated for 2021, with Boeing aiming to complete software and test hardware production development.

Oct. 7, 2020 - The chief astronaut for Starliner's crewed flight to the ISS, Chris Ferguson, steps down from the job, citing family priorities. He is replaced by Wilmore.

July 29, 2021 - A space station mishap prompts NASA to postpone the launch of the Starliner.

Aug. 3, 2021 - Boeing postpones Starliner launch after new glitch.

Aug. 13, 2021 - Boeing returns the spacecraft to the factory to resolve a valve issue, delaying the launch date until at least mid-October if not later.

May 19, 2022 - The Starliner capsule launches on a do-over uncrewed test flight bound for the ISS.

May 20, 2022 - The Starliner capsule, without astronauts onboard, docked for the first time with the ISS.

Aug 25, 2022 - Boeing announces it is targeting early 2023 for the first Starliner mission carrying astronauts.

June 1, 2023 - Boeing says it is standing down from late preparations for its first crewed Starliner test flight to space, which was planned for July 2023, after it discovered two safety-critical issues with the spacecraft.

May 3, 2024 - Boeing poised to send the first Starliner space capsule with a crew of humans into orbit the following week, after a year's delay.

May 6, 2024 - The first crewed test flight of the new Starliner space capsule was postponed after the planned May 6 launch countdown was halted over a fault with the Atlas V rocket.

May 7, 2024 - NASA says new targeted launch date for the mission was set to May 17 at the earliest.

May 14, 2024 - Boeing says the Starliner mission had been delayed again - until at least May 21 - over an issue with the spacecraft's propulsion system.

May 17, 2024 - NASA and Boeing delayed the launch of the Starliner crew capsule again to check helium leak, targeting May 25.

May 21, 2024 - NASA again delayed the debut crew flight to spend more time evaluating the helium leak in the spacecraft's propulsion system.

May 22, 2024 - NASA and Boeing target June 1 for the launch.

June 1, 2024 - A second attempt at launching the Starliner with astronauts on board was automatically halted with minutes to go before liftoff by a computer-abort system.

June 2, 2024 - Boeing and NASA target June 5 for the launch.

June 5, 2024 - The Starliner astronaut capsule was successfully launched from Florida with two astronauts aboard, with docking with the ISS scheduled for June 6.

June 6, 2024 - The Starliner capsule and an inaugural two-member NASA crew safely docked with the International Space Station.

June 11, 2024 - NASA and Boeing say they expect the Starliner capsule to return as soon as June 18, later than a previously scheduled return, citing fixes to faulty components on the capsule, and weather conditions among others.

June 21, 2024 - NASA further postponed the Starliner's return to Earth, to allow more time for review of technical issues encountered.

June 27, 2024 - NASA says it would continue to evaluate Starliner's propulsion system performance along with Boeing.

Aug 7, 2024 - NASA says the two astronauts could return on SpaceX's Crew Dragon in February 2025 if Starliner is still deemed unsafe to return to Earth.

Aug 24, 2024 - The Starliner capsule is returning to Earth without astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams aboard, after NASA chief Bill Nelson said the duo will need to return on a SpaceX vehicle early next year.