For the first time since 1968, astronauts have been launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, marking the first-ever manned mission from a Space Force installation. On June 5, at precisely 10:52 a.m. EDT, NASA astronauts Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams lifted off from Space Launch Complex-41 aboard the Atlas V rocket, commencing the eagerly anticipated Boeing Starliner Crew Flight Test (CFT) mission.
After two prior launch attempts, an Atlas V rocket, operated by United Launch Alliance (ULA), carried the astronauts and Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft into orbit. This mission represents an important flight certification test of the Boeing Starliner Crew Module, which aims to provide NASA with an alternative crew transportation capability to the International Space Station (ISS), complementing SpaceX’s Crew Dragon.
“Two bold NASA astronauts are well on their way on this historic first test flight of a brand-new spacecraft,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “Boeing’s Starliner marks a new chapter of American exploration. Human spaceflight is a daring task – but that’s why it’s worth doing. It’s an exciting time for NASA, our commercial partners, and the future of exploration. Go Starliner, Go Butch and Suni!”
“The unwavering support from members of Space Launch Delta 45 was instrumental in the success of the CFT launch,” Brig. Gen. Kristen Panzenhagen, SLD 45 commander and Assured Access to Space program executive officer, stated. “Their dedication and expertise ensured a flawless execution, setting the stage for future triumphs.”
A Decade in the Making: Overcoming Challenges
Boeing’s path to this milestone launch has been fraught with technical challenges and delays. The Starliner program has seen multiple setbacks, including a scrubbed launch attempt on May 6 due to a valve issue in the Atlas V rocket and a subsequent helium leak in Starliner’s propulsion system. Despite these hurdles, the teams persevered, and the successful liftoff marked a significant achievement in the journey to establish Starliner as a reliable spacecraft for NASA’s missions.
“With Starliner’s launch, separation from the rocket, and arrival on orbit, Boeing’s Crew Flight Test is right on track,” said Mark Nappi, vice president and program manager of Boeing’s Commercial Crew Program. “Everyone is focused on giving Suni and Butch a safe, comfortable ride and performing a successful test mission from start to finish.”
The mission aims to validate the entire Starliner transportation system, from launch to in-orbit operations and return to Earth. Previous uncrewed flights and a pad abort demonstration were critical steps leading to this manned flight.
In-Orbit Operations and Testing
During their mission, Wilmore and Williams will help verify the spacecraft’s performance by testing various systems, including the environmental control system, displays, control systems, and thrusters. Their journey to the ISS will culminate in an autonomous docking to the station’s Harmony module at approximately 12:15 p.m. EDT on June 6. The spacecraft will remain at the ISS for about a week, during which the astronauts will conduct further tests and interact with the current Expedition 71 crew.
“Flying crew on Starliner represents over a decade of work by the Commercial Crew Program and our partners at Boeing and ULA,” said Steve Stich, manager of the Commercial Crew Program at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. “For many of us, this is a career-defining moment bringing on a new crew transportation capability for our agency and our nation. We are going to take it one step at a time, putting Starliner through its paces, and remaining vigilant until Butch and Suni safely touch down back on Earth at the conclusion of this test flight.”
Crucial Cargo: The Urine Processor Pump
Among the vital equipment aboard Starliner is a crucial pump needed to repair the space station’s urine processor assembly, which failed on May 29. This system is essential for the space station’s water recovery operations.
“That urine processor takes all of the crew’s urine and processes it in the first step of a water recovery system,” explained Dana Weigel, manager for NASA’s International Space Station Program. “It then sends it downstream to a water processor which turns it into drinking water. The station’s really designed to be a closed loop.”
Currently, the crew on the ISS has to store urine in containers, so the arrival of the new pump with Starliner’s mission is highly anticipated. “On the pump change, we’re gonna get to that as soon as we can,” said Joel Montalbano, deputy associate administrator for NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate. “My hope is we get to it this week. If not, it’ll be early next week.”
A Historic Collaboration and Future Implications
The successful launch is a result of close collaboration between NASA, Boeing, and ULA under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. This program was established over a decade ago to foster partnerships with private companies to develop new crewed space vehicles. Its goal was to ensure the United States had a robust and independent capability to send astronauts to low-Earth orbit, especially following the retirement of the space shuttle program.
“This is a special moment, it’s another one of those great markers in history,” NASA Administrator Bill Nelson emphasized. “What NASA does is hard, spaceflight is hard but it’s worth doing.”
Boeing’s Starliner, nicknamed “Calypso” by Williams in honor of Jacques Cousteau’s ship, represents a significant step forward in expanding human space exploration capabilities. The mission not only marks the sixth new orbital spacecraft for NASA but also introduces the first new vehicle with a woman on the test flight crew.
Continuing the Legacy of American Spaceflight
The journey of Starliner has been closely watched, not only for its technical achievements but also for its potential to join SpaceX’s Crew Dragon as a regular means of transport to the ISS. NASA’s reliance on commercial partners is a strategic move to maintain and enhance the United States’ capabilities in space.
“You really don’t know how great a program is until after it’s finished,” said Ken Bowersox, NASA’s associate administrator for space operations. “We have to have a lot of conditions that are just right before we bring the Starliner home and we’re going to wait till the conditions are right and we’ve accomplished the test objectives before we do that.”
As Starliner continues its mission, the collaboration and determination of NASA, Boeing, and ULA teams reflect the spirit of exploration that drives humanity to reach beyond our planet. The successful completion of this mission will pave the way for future crewed flights, ensuring that NASA has a diversified and resilient capability for space travel.
With the Crew Flight Test underway, all eyes are on Starliner and its crew as they embark on this historic journey, setting the stage for a new era in American space exploration.
