In a groundbreaking move that has many questioning whether they're watching an episode of “Space Taxi” rather than a NASA mission, Boeing's Starliner capsule is preparing for a solo journey back to Earth without astronauts—a startling reminder that even in the cosmos, rideshare services are becoming trendier than ever. Scheduled to undock from the International Space Station at 6:04 p.m. ET today, the Starliner's departure is being hailed as NASA's latest attempt to send an empty vessel to its destination, a clever ploy for budget cuts in the already straining space travel program. Critics argue that if you can send a capsule home alone, why not let it pick up some passengers on the way? Aimed at those who always get too comfortable in the passengers' seat, the capsule’s departure represents a significant step in making space travel as mundane as a trip to the grocery store. In the livestream today at 5:45 p.m. ET, viewers are encouraged to witness the historic moment as a shiny metal object undocks itself from a glorified space RV. Many are tuning in with the hope that the journey will be a thrilling spectacle, complete with dramatic music and a countdown, reminiscent of Apollo 13 but with a lot less drama—and a lot more "hurry up and wait." As Starliner drifts away, fans and tech enthusiasts can only speculate on what the capsule will do on its six-hour journey home. Will it stop for snacks? Will it even remember to use its blinker? According to a NASA spokesperson, the capsule is equipped with “state-of-the-art technology” that “will ensure a smooth ride.” But one must wonder if the Starliner has a premium feature that allows it to avoid space traffic jams. It's reassuring to know that while it’s out there enjoying the void, it won’t miss a chance to check its social media accounts. Landing is expected to take place at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico, the cosmic equivalent of pulling up in front of your house after a long day. Locals are reportedly lining the streets in anticipation of the capsule's return—some even setting up lawn chairs, a barbecue, and a welcome-home banner to mark what they hope will be the start of "Starliner Season": a new annual event filled with uninvited space objects coming down in dramatic fashion. As the world watches today, we were reminded that while human astronauts can boldly go into the unknown, we’ll inevitably be seeing their replacements zipping around in their own personal spacecrafts—with no one behind the wheel. Let's just hope the Starliner remembers to lock its doors on the way home.