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DUGWAY — Utah's west desert will soon be the primary and backup landing site for future Boeing Starliner missions, Dugway Proving Ground announced in a post Monday on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The Boeing Starliner is a spacecraft designed to transport crew, equipment and supplies to and from NASA's International Space Station and other low-Earth-orbit destinations.
Located about 85 miles southwest of Salt Lake City in Tooele County, the 800,000-acre Dugway Proving Ground was established during World War II with a mission of chemical and biological defense testing, evaluation and training for first responders.
Now, it will also serve as a welcoming ground for astronauts returning to Earth from space.
DPG will be utilized as a primary and backup landing site for future Boeing Starliner missions. The spacecraft is designed to take NASA astronauts, equipment, and supplies to and from the ISS. Army EMS personnel at DPG are training to prepare for the capsule's return. pic.twitter.com/M8HUMc2vDf
— Dugway Proving Ground (@USArmyDPG) December 18, 2023
Homer Hickam, Vietnam veteran, former NASA engineer and author of "Rocket Boys" which was adapted into the movie "October Sky," was stationed at Dugway during his time in the military. Hickam weighed in on the news on social media, saying he would've welcomed Dugway being a landing site during his time there.
Well, that's one that Lieutenant Hickam would've liked when he (I) was stationed at Dugway! Recommend Astros rest a bit before driving over Johnson Pass. pic.twitter.com/ndU85OTtem
— Homer Hickam (@realhomerhickam) December 18, 2023
