STARLINER COMPLETES SUCCESSFUL CREW LAUNCH TO SPACE STATION
Launch marks first crewed launch of Starliner to the International Space Station
16.06.2024
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NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams launched aboard Boeing's Starliner spacecraft embarking on a 25-hour flight to the International Space Station (ISS). The launch marked the beginning of the NASA-Boeing Starliner Crew Flight Test (CFT).
The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida to the International Space Station was the company's first Starliner spacecraft mission with crew.
"This crew flight test represents the beginning of a new era of space exploration as we watch astronauts Wilmore and Williams put Boeing's Starliner through its paces on the way to the International Space Station," This is a great start. We look forward to getting the astronauts safely to the space station and back home." Boeing Defence, Space & Security President and CEO Ted Colbert said.
Inside Starliner
Wilmore and Williams are also the first to launch on an Atlas V rocket and they will conduct a series of flight test objectives, including manually flying Starliner. Along with the two crew members, Starliner is carrying about 760 pounds (345 kilograms) of cargo.
On the way to the ISS, the crew completed a series of tests including manually flying Starliner for the first time in space. The two Starliner astronauts, who are joining seven others currently living on the station, will assist with various tests and conduct scientific experiments while in space.
Crew chief tour
Wilmore and Williams successfully docked the Starliner spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS), about 26 hours after launching from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. They monitored Starliner as it autonomously conducted a series of manoeuvres to steadily bring the spacecraft closer to the orbiting laboratory before docking.
"It is both amazing and humbling to join the fleet of commercial spacecraft capable of conducting crewed transportation services to and from the space station for NASA. Our teams have done some great work to get us to this point," said Kay Sears, vice president and general manager of Space, Intelligence & Weapon Systems for Boeing Defence, Space & Security.
Wilmore and Williams will spend about a week on station before returning to Earth.
