Monday, May 6th, marks a significant milestone for NASA and Boeing as two astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, prepare for the first crewed launch of the new Starliner capsule. The capsule, designed to carry astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS), is set to lift off from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 10:34 p.m. ET.
The Starliner capsule has undergone rigorous testing, and the crew has been busily suiting up in the new, specially designed spacesuits. The blue suits, unlike the traditional white suits worn on SpaceX Dragon missions, are said to be lighter and more flexible than previous spacesuits. With zippers at the joints, attached helmet and visor, and a broad dome, the suits provide a wide field of view and allow for comfortable head movements. The suit’s weight, a mere 20 pounds including shoes and accessories, is significantly lighter than its predecessors, making it less cumbersome for the astronauts to move around.
NASA’s Starliner spacesuit lead, Tori Wills Pedrotty, highlighted the integrated visor as a favorite feature of the suit. The broad dome allows for a wide field of view, and the ability to comfortably turn one’s head to get a better view around them. The helmet flips over from behind and closes with a zipper, similar to pressure zippers used in previous spacesuits, but unique in that the helmet and suit are one piece.
Williams enthusiastically endorsed the new suits, describing them as “really nice, slick, comfortable suits — easy to get in and easy to get out of, allow a lot of mobility.” She also mentioned the helmet’s innovative design, which flips over and closes with a zipper.
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Before suiting up, the astronauts had to perform a ritual card game, a tradition played before any astronaut launch from Kennedy Space Center. The point of the game is to ensure the commander uses up all their bad luck before the launch, ensuring the crew can safely leave for the pad.
As the crew prepares for liftoff, they will board the Starliner capsule, which will be launched into space by an Alliance Atlas V rocket. The capsule will then go on its test flight to the ISS, where the astronauts will spend time conducting research and testing the spacecraft’s systems.
The weather forecast looks favorable for the launch, with a 95% chance of favorable conditions. As the crew and mission control teams complete their final preparations, excitement builds for this historic event.
With its lighter and more flexible spacesuits, the Starliner capsule marks a significant step forward in space travel technology. As NASA and Boeing go on this new era, the success of the first crewed launch will pave the way for future missions and milestones.
