On the bright Wednesday morning, the third attempt proved to be the charm for Boeing's Starliner capsule. After years of delays and technical challenges, the spacecraft finally blasted off with astronauts aboard, embarking on a high-stakes test flight to the International Space Station (ISS).
Credit ULA
“Two bold NASA astronauts are well on their way on this historic first test flight of a brand-new spacecraft,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “Boeing’s Starliner marks a new chapter of American exploration. Human spaceflight is a daring task – but that’s why it’s worth doing. It’s an exciting time for NASA, our commercial partners, and the future of exploration. Go Starliner, Go Butch and Suni!”
The Launch
At precisely 10:52 a.m. ET, the Starliner capsule blasted off into orbit atop an Atlas V rocket from Florida's Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. This marked the first time the capsule carried a crew, a significant milestone for Boeing's ambitious space program.
The Crew
The inaugural crew consists of two seasoned NASA astronauts: Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Sunita Williams. Both astronauts bring a wealth of experience to the mission, having previously participated in other spaceflights. Their journey to the ISS is expected to take about a day, during which they will undergo various tests and procedures.
Starliner will autonomously dock to the forward-facing port of the station’s Harmony module at approximately 12:15 p.m. Thursday, June 6, and remain at the orbital laboratory for about a week.
Boeing Starliner Crew Flight Test (CFT) commander Barry "Butch" Wilmore and pilot Suni Williams (Image credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett)
Wilmore and Williams will help verify the spacecraft is performing as intended by testing the environmental control system, the displays and control system, and by maneuvering the thrusters, among other tests during flight.
After a safe arrival at the space station, Wilmore and Williams will join the Expedition 71 crew of NASA astronauts Michael Barratt, Matt Dominick, Tracy C. Dyson, and Jeanette Epps, and Roscosmos cosmonauts Nikolai Chub, Alexander Grebenkin, and Oleg Kononenko.
Technical Challenges and setbacks
Boeing's Starliner, part of a $4.2 billion contract with NASA's Commercial Crew Program, has faced its fair share of setbacks. Most recently, a launch attempt on Saturday was halted with less than 4 minutes remaining in the countdown. The culprit? A valve issue in the Atlas V rocket, which is jointly manufactured by Boeing and Lockheed Martin under the United Launch Alliance. Mission operators had to roll the rocket back to ULA's Vertical Integration Facility for repairs. Prior to that, a separate helium leak was detected in the Starliner's propulsion system, leading to further delays.
High Stakes
The success of this crewed flight is critical for Boeing. It not only validates the spacecraft's capabilities but also paves the way for future missions, including ferrying astronauts to and from the ISS. With SpaceX dominating the commercial crew market, Boeing aims to prove that its Starliner can compete and excel in the new era of private space exploration.
As part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, the flight test will help validate the transportation system, launch pad, rocket, spacecraft, in-orbit operations capabilities, and return to Earth with astronauts aboard as the agency prepares to certify Starliner for rotational missions to the space station. Starliner previously flew two uncrewed orbital flights, including a test to and from the space station, along with a pad abort demonstration.
As the Starliner approaches the ISS, the eyes of the space community remain fixed on this mission. Whether it's overcoming technical glitches or demonstrating reliability, Boeing's capsule has much to prove. For now, we celebrate this successful launch and eagerly await the crew's safe arrival at the orbiting outpost on Thursday at 12:15 p.m. ET.
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