NASA Astronauts Continue Critical Starliner Tests

NASA Astronauts Continue Critical Starliner Tests

Starliner docking to ISS Image: Boeing
Starliner docking to ISS Image: Boeing

June 11, 2024 – Orbiting Earth as part of the nine-person crew of the International Space Station (ISS), NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are actively engaged in testing Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. This mission marks Starliner’s first flight with astronauts and is a critical step in the data collection process for NASA certification, aiming to establish regular crewed missions to the orbital complex.

The Third Time Is The Charm For Starliner

The Third Time Is The Charm For Starliner

Boeing Starliner finally heads to space. Photo: Chris Leymarie/FMN
Boeing Starliner finally heads to space. Photo: Chris Leymarie/FMN

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.

Awaiting Starliner: Facts You May Not Know

Awaiting Starliner: Facts You May Not Know

Graphic: SpaceIntel101.com

As Boeing, NASA, and United Launch Alliance (ULA) prepare for a third launch attempt of the Boeing Starliner set for June 5th, a lesser-known yet interesting fact has emerged. While the Starliner will be going to the ISS, it won’t be ULA’s Atlas/Centaur booster that takes it all the way there or even to low-earth orbit (LEO).

Starliner Moves Back To Launch Pad, Is Go For Launch Saturday

Starliner Moves Back To Launch Pad, Is Go For Launch Saturday

Starliner arriving at the launch pad at Space Launch Complex 41 on Thursday morning.
Photo: Richard Gallagher, Florida Media Now
Starliner arriving at the launch pad at Space Launch Complex 41 on Thursday morning.
Photo: Richard Gallagher, Florida Media Now

After three weeks of analysis and discussion between Boeing, NASA, and United Launch Alliance following the May 6, 2024 scrub, Boeing’s long road to lofting crew aboard Starliner to low-Earth orbit took a step towards launching this morning when it was moved to its launch pad. Liftoff of Atlas V and Starliner is scheduled for 12:25 PM EDT, Saturday, June 1st, from Space Launch Complex 41.