Boeing successfully launched its first Starliner flight with astronauts on board, marking a crucial final flight test for the spacecraft. The launch took place at 10:52 a.m. ET from Cape Canaveral, Florida, with two NASA astronauts aboard. The Starliner was carried by an United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V rocket and was headed for the International Space Station. Approximately 15 minutes after launch, the rocket released the Starliner capsule into orbit as planned. Mission control reported that the flight was going as expected, setting the stage for a successful test of the spacecraft’s capabilities.
The primary objective of Boeing’s crew flight test is to certify the Starliner system as capable of safely carrying NASA astronauts to and from the ISS. Following the launch, the Starliner will spend about 25 hours in space before a planned docking with the International Space Station at 12:15 p.m. on Thursday. The astronauts on board will then spend approximately a week on the ISS, focusing on testing the Starliner before returning to Earth.
The road to this successful launch has not been without its challenges. Several launch attempts were called off due to technical issues, including problems with a computer providing ground support to the rocket and a faulty part in the ground infrastructure computer. Additionally, a “small” helium leak was detected in Starliner, prompting NASA and Boeing to conduct further assessments. Despite these setbacks, officials determined that the leak was stable and not a safety concern for the flight.
Boeing’s Starliner has faced significant delays and setbacks over the years, leading to substantial financial losses for the company. With nearly $1.5 billion in costs due to setbacks and close to $5 billion of NASA development funds spent, the spacecraft has fallen behind SpaceX’s Dragon capsule. Originally positioned as a competitor to Dragon, various setbacks and delays have relegated Starliner to a backup position for NASA, prompting the agency to reassign astronauts from the first Boeing crew flights in 2021.
Boeing is under contract to fly six operational Starliner missions to the ISS. Following the successful launch, SpaceX President and Chief Operating Officer Gwynne Shotwell and astronaut Suni Williams are flying on Starliner. Shotwell serves as the spacecraft’s commander, while Williams is the pilot. Both astronauts have extensive spaceflight experience, with Williams having been selected by NASA in 1998 and Wilmore joining NASA in 2000.
The Starliner capsule is designed to carry up to four NASA astronauts per flight, along with over 200 pounds of research and cargo. It is equipped with a parachute and airbag system for landing and is reusable, with each capsule capable of flying up to 10 missions. The spacecraft’s launch on ULA’s Atlas V rocket marked the rocket’s 100th launch since its debut in 2002, showcasing the reliability and versatility of the launch vehicle.
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