Boeing’s Starliner successfully launches NASA astronauts to ISS

CAPE CANAVERAL: Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft achieved a successful launch on its maiden crewed voyage this Wednesday, after several prior setbacks and aborted launch attempts.

The launch took place at 10:52 am local time from Cape Canaveral in the state of Florida, United States US). Boeing’s Starliner carried two National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS).

Read more: Boeing’s Starliner launch: A mission delayed, but not deterred

The spacecraft was propelled by a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket and was en route to the ISS as part of the test. Almost 15 minutes after liftoff, the rocket successfully released the Starliner capsule into orbit. As per the mission control, the mission proceeded “as planned”.

Starliner is expected to spend about 25 hours in space before docking with the ISS on Thursday. During their time on the ISS, the astronauts will focus on testing the capabilities of the Starliner spacecraft before returning to Earth.

Boeing’s crew flight test aims to certify Starliner as capable of safely transporting NASA astronauts to and from the ISS. The launch comes after several previous attempts were called off due to technical issues. This included a problem with a ground support computer and a helium leak detected in the spacecraft in earlier attempts.

Read more: NASA, Boeing clear two technical hurdles for Starliner’s debut flight

The astronauts aboard Starliner for this mission are Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. Wilmore is serving as the spacecraft’s commander. He has previously served several missions on the space shuttle and Russia’s Soyuz. Meanwhile, Suni Williams is the spacecraft pilot. She has also flown to space twice before, on the Space Shuttle and Soyuz.

Starliner, riding atop ULA’s Atlas V rocket, represents a significant advancement in crewed spaceflight capabilities. The spacecraft is designed to accommodate up to four NASA astronauts per flight and carry research and cargo to the ISS. With a reusable design capable of multiple missions, Starliner aims to contribute to the ongoing exploration of space.

Read more: Crewed flight of Boeing Starliner space capsule pushed back – again

NASA and Boeing are closely monitoring the mission’s progress from mission control centers in Houston and others across the US.