NASA and Boeing Space have been making final preparations for the first crewed launch of the CST-100 Starliner spacecraft, scheduled to take off on Wednesday, June 5, from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The highly anticipated mission will see NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams aboard the Starliner as it launches on a ULA Atlas V rocket and makes its way to the International Space Station (ISS). The launch had previously been scrubbed twice, with the first attempt being called off just two hours before liftoff due to an issue with the Atlas V rocket. The issue has now been resolved, and the mission is back on track.
The Starliner and its crew will spend about a week on board the ISS, where they will test the spacecraft’s systems and subsystems. This is a major milestone for the Commercial Crew Program, which aims to provide NASA with a reliable and efficient way to transport crew members to and from the ISS. The addition of the Starliner to the agency’s fleet of spacecraft will give NASA more flexibility in planning crewed missions to the ISS, allowing for more frequent and reliable transportation of astronauts and researchers.
The Starliner’s journey to this point has been marked by delays and technical issues. On its maiden test flight in 2019, the spacecraft failed to reach the ISS due to a number of problems, including a software glitch and issues with the spacecraft’s propulsion systems. A second test flight in 2022 managed to dock with the ISS, but the mission was not entirely successful, as several issues with the spacecraft had to be addressed following the flight.
NASA’s Starliner Spacecraft Readies for First Crewed Launch After Delays
Despite these setbacks, NASA and Boeing are now confident that the Starliner is ready for its first crewed mission. The spacecraft has undergone extensive testing and refurbishment in preparation for this moment, and the astronauts selected for the mission have undergone rigorous training to prepare them for the challenges of space travel.
The launch and early stages of the mission will be broadcast live on NASA Television, the NASA app, YouTube, and the agency’s website. The broadcast will begin at 6:45 a.m. ET on June 5, with launch coverage starting at 10:52 a.m. ET. For viewers who want to follow the mission more closely, a live stream of the spacecraft docking with the ISS will be available on NASA Television and the NASA app on June 6.
As the Starliner gos on its mission, NASA is emphasizing the importance of the Commercial Crew Program and the role that the Starliner will play in ensuring the continued success of the program. The addition of the Starliner to the agency’s fleet of spacecraft will provide NASA with more flexibility and capability in planning crewed missions to the ISS, and will help to ensure the continued use of the orbital outpost as a vital hub for scientific research and exploration.
The upcoming launch of the Starliner spacecraft is a major milestone in NASA’s plans for expanding its presence in space. After years of delays and technical issues, the Starliner is finally ready to take its first crewed mission to the ISS, and NASA is eager to see the spacecraft perform its duties with precision and reliability. With the launch just days away, the anticipation is building, and NASA enthusiasts around the world are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to witness this major event in space exploration.
