First manned flight of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft: Launch date and how to watch on TV and online
The first manned flight of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, delayed several times, got a new launch date after all systems were deemed “healthy and ready.”
The first crewed launch of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft has experienced several delays. The most recent attempt was scheduled for 1 June, but minutes before liftoff it was scrubbed “due to the computer ground launch sequencer not loading into the correct operational configuration after proceeding into terminal count.”
On Monday a new launch date was confirmed after all systems wee deemed “healthy and ready for the next launch attempt.” The new date set is for 10:52 a.m. EDT on Wednesday 5 June. A backup launch window is available on Thursday 6 June.
The NASA, Boeing and ULA (United Launch Alliance) planned launch of Boeing’s Starliner capsule will send two astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) with the development set to be a milestone for the US aerospace giant and NASA.
Why was Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner launch delayed?
The first launch was scheduled for last July, however various problems with the design of the parachutes and the safety of the ship delayed its takeoff. The launch was them rescheduled for March 2024 and finally pushed back to 6 May before another setback - a stable helium leak on the service module - caused yet another delay.
The capsule is set to be launched on the Atlas V rocket, and approximately half an hour after launch, Starliner will separate from the rocket and eventually arrive at the International Space Station (ISS) roughly 24 hours later.
What time is the CST-100 Starliner launch?
NASA say that the teams are targeting a launch - with astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams - no earlier than 10:52 a.m. EDT on Wednesday, 5 June. Weather officers with Space Lauch Delta 45 currently predict 90% favorable weather.
Wilmore and Williams remain quarantined Kennedy Space Center in Florida ahead of liftoff. They will spend a week in space before returning, landing on southwestern US soil.
How to watch the launch of the manned CST-100 Starliner
The broadcast can be followed through NASA television, as well as through the space agency’s YouTube channel with broadcast coverage expected from 6:45 a.m. EDT. You can also follow live the docking of Starliner at the IEE, which is scheduled for 6 June if all goes smoothly. The broadcast will begin at 12:15 p.m EDT.