The much-anticipated crewed flight of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft has been postponed once more, this time due to a problem with the ground system. The launch was aborted just 3 minutes and 50 seconds before liftoff, marking the second time that the mission has been called off shortly before launch. The first attempt on May 6 was scrubbed due to a separate issue with the rocket.
Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams is set to make history as she prepares for her third space mission on Saturday. Williams, along with NASA astronaut Barry ‘Butch’ Wilmore, will pilot Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, marking the first crewed flight for the spacecraft under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. The mission aims to test the spacecraft’s systems and its ability to transport astronauts to and from the International Space Station (ISS). If successful, Starliner will become an additional vehicle for NASA’s crewed missions to the ISS. Williams, a former record holder for most spacewalks by a woman, will become the first to board the spacecraft alongside Wilmore. The debut crew launch flight is scheduled to lift off from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center around 10 pm Indian Standard Time. The spacecraft is expected to reach the ISS on Sunday, where the astronauts will conduct a series of tests and remain for nearly a week before returning to Earth on June 10th.
After years of delays and setbacks, Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft is set for its first crewed launch on Monday night. NASA astronauts Barry ‘Butch’ Willmore and Sunita ‘Sunni’ Williams will pilot the mission, called Crew Flight Test (CFT). Despite receiving nearly double the funding of SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, Starliner has faced numerous technical challenges, including a failed uncrewed flight test in 2019.
After years of delays and setbacks, Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft is finally ready to carry two NASA astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). The mission, led by astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita Williams, marks a significant milestone for Boeing’s Commercial Crew Program and will pave the way for routine crewed flights to the ISS. Should the mission succeed, Boeing will join SpaceX as a provider of crewed transportation to the ISS, enhancing NASA’s capabilities and ensuring redundancy in space travel.
NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams have entered quarantine in preparation for the upcoming launch of Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft. The launch, targeted for May 6th, marks a significant milestone in NASA’s Commercial Crew Program and will see Wilmore and Williams become the first humans to fly on Starliner.
