NASA’s Boeing Starliner Crew Flight Test Set to Launch to the ISS
The highly anticipated NASA Boeing Starliner Crew Flight Test is all set to launch to the International Space Station (ISS) today, with coverage starting at 6:30PM ET and the official launch scheduled for 10:34PM ET. The spacecraft will be carrying two astronauts, Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore.
Boeing had been awarded a $4.2 billion contract by NASA a decade ago to build spacecraft that would fly from the United States to the ISS, but the project has faced numerous setbacks. The Starliner failed to reach orbit during its first uncrewed orbital test flight in 2019 due to fuel burning issues, and subsequent flights were delayed due to various technical issues.
Originally scheduled for March 2024, the crewed flight was delayed until now. Despite the setbacks, Boeing, Williams, and Wilmore are now ready for take off and have expressed confidence in the spacecraft and the teams.
For NASA, the first crewed flight of a new spacecraft is seen as a critical milestone and the safety of the crewmembers is of utmost importance. As the global community awaits this historic launch, all eyes are on NASA’s Boeing Starliner Crew Flight Test as it makes its way to the ISS.
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