Kennedy Space Center, FL – Greeted by members of the press, Astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Suni Williams arrived at the KSC Launch and Landing Facility (LLF) formerly known as the Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF) aboard a NASA T-38 jet Thursday afternoon. The two NASA astronauts will be aboard the first crewed launch of the new Boeing Starliner crew module early next month.
Launching atop a ULA Atlas V booster no earlier than May 6th at 10:34 PM EDT, the pair will head to the ISS for a 10-day stay on what will effectively be a “shakedown cruise” for the Starliner. Otherwise known as a flight certification test, a successful flight will see the Starliner routinely used to send astronauts to low Earth orbit.
Veteran Astronauts at the Helm
Wilmore and Williams, both highly accomplished astronauts and U.S. Navy captains, bring a wealth of experience to this mission. Wilmore, a skilled pilot and spaceflight veteran, has spent 178 days in orbit and has previously commanded the International Space Station (ISS). His diverse background includes roles as a pastor and craftsman, displaying his leadership both on Earth and in orbit.
Referring to the Boeing Starliner, Wilmore told the crowd of journalists, “No other spacecraft in the world can do what this spacecraft is capable of,” referring to a simulation that they conducted where the computer guidance system went down minutes before re-entering the atmosphere but manual controls still allowed them to hit the landing zone only 200 meters off.
Williams, equally distinguished, holds records for spacewalks by a female astronaut and has logged 322 days in space across her previous missions. Known for her robust participation in space station operations, Williams has also completed the Boston Marathon aboard the ISS, emphasizing her exceptional endurance and commitment to fitness. She added today “that this spacecraft is awesome!”
Starliner’s Crewed Flight Test (CFT)
This mission, scheduled to launch aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex-41, will not be a routine trip to the ISS but a comprehensive test of the Starliner’s capabilities. The CFT aims to fully validate the spacecraft for human spaceflight, including launch, docking, in-orbit operation, and landing—returning on land, a significant departure from traditional water recoveries. This land recovery method is designed to simplify the retrieval and reuse of the spacecraft (The Boeing Company Official Website) .
Objectives and Goals
The primary objective for Wilmore and Williams is to test and evaluate the Starliner’s systems throughout the mission, ensuring everything operates as expected for future crewed missions. Both astronauts have been integrally involved in the development and testing of the spacecraft, lending their expertise to optimize its design and functionality (The Boeing Company Official Website) .
Their mission is pivotal for setting the stage for subsequent operational missions that will ensure continuous U.S. access to the ISS. This mission underscores NASA’s broader strategy to engage commercial partners like Boeing in advancing U.S. space endeavors, enhancing flexibility and capacity in orbital research and exploration.
