Watch Starliner launch: Boeing’s Crew Flight Test mission to ISS
Starliner launch as it happened
Watch Starliner launch
Footage of the launch process and early flight as it happened, with expert commentary and insight from NASA.
What is Boeing's Starliner going to do?
As Williams and Wilmore make the journey to the International Space Station, a familiar destination for both, they are expected to spend approximately a week there. Their mission objective includes validating the Starliner spacecraft's capacity to serve as a "safe haven" in the event of a critical incident aboard the ISS.
The Starliner's inclusion in NASA's Commercial Crew Program underscores the agency's strategy of engaging private entities to transport sponsored astronauts to low-Earth orbit, a mission SpaceX is also actively participating in. Upon commencing regular service missions to the ISS, Boeing's module will accommodate up to four astronauts alongside essential time-sensitive scientific research equipment.
Boasting an innovative, weldless structure, the Starliner is designed for reusability, capable of up to ten missions with a turnaround time of six months. Equipped with wireless internet and tablet technology for seamless crew interfaces, Boeing's spacecraft epitomizes cutting-edge aerospace engineering.
Who are the astronauts on Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft?
Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft aims to ferry up to seven astronauts or a blend of crew and cargo into space upon receiving certification from NASA. However, prior to achieving this milestone, it must undergo a crewed test flight.
The two NASA astronauts, Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Sunita "Suni" Williams, stand poised and prepared to embark on a cosmic and historic voyage.
Both Wilmore and Williams boast impressive naval backgrounds, having ascended to the rank of captain before transitioning to the United States space agency. Williams, who became a NASA member in 1998, is slated to pilot the inaugural manned test flight, while Wilmore, who joined NASA in 2000, will take the helm as commander.
Their combined spacefaring endeavors tally a remarkable 500 days in orbit, inclusive of over 75 hours of extravehicular activity across eleven missions, as per NASA records. Notably, Williams even accomplished the feat of running the Boston Marathon aboard the space station.
What time will Starliner launch today?
As mentioned, this is not the first attempt of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft after it experienced several delays. The most recent try for the company's first crewed mission was on 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, we learned of a new launch date and all systems were deemed “healthy and ready for the next launch attempt.” Unless there are some last minute hitches, we'll be waving the astronauts off at 10:52 a.m. ET / 7:52 PT just a few hours from now.
If issues do arise, 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.
Starliner launch: welcome
Hello and a very warm welcome to our coverage of the launch of Boeing's Starliner. Excitement is building as we await the third attempt from the airline and now space company.
I'll give you some background to what we may expect but you can follow the video footage above and be guided by the NASA experts as the final moments get closer and the countdown begins.
You'll not want to miss it!