Boeing’s Starliner space taxi is set for its first crewed flight, which has been years in the making and has faced $1.5 billion in cost overruns. The liftoff is scheduled for 10:34 p.m. ET from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, with NASA and Boeing providing live coverage of the event. This launch marks the first time astronauts will be sent into orbit from the military launch facility since 1968 and the first crewed launch on an Atlas rocket since the 1960s.
Veteran NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams will be aboard the Starliner spacecraft heading to the International Space Station for testing purposes. This mission represents a shakedown cruise for the vehicle to ensure it is ready for future flights. NASA selected Boeing and SpaceX a decade ago to transport astronauts to and from the space station after the retirement of the space shuttle fleet in 2011. Boeing’s development of the Starliner spacecraft has faced challenges, including failures during an uncrewed test mission in 2019.
Despite these setbacks, a re-do of the uncrewed flight test in 2022 allowed Boeing to proceed with the crewed flight, albeit with the company covering $1.5 billion in extra expenses. Wilmore and Williams are expected to reach the space station on Wednesday and spend about a week conducting orbital checkouts of the Starliner craft. The spacecraft has been named Calypso in tribute to ocean explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau’s research ship. Once the mission is complete, the astronauts will return to Earth with a parachute-assisted, airbag-cushioned touchdown in the western U.S.
Boeing’s Starliner will become part of the rotation with SpaceX’s Crew Dragon for transporting astronauts to the space station every six months. With multiple providers in place, there is redundancy in the transportation of astronauts to space, increasing safety and reliability. Additionally, the Starliner is part of the team working on Orbital Reef, a commercial space station project led by Sierra Space and Blue Origin. Boeing also has a partnership with Space Adventures for sending customers into orbit on a commercial basis.
The successful execution of this mission will be a significant milestone for Boeing’s Starliner program, allowing it to play a crucial role in the future of space exploration. With the ability to transport up to seven astronauts, the Starliner will enhance the capability of getting to and from the space station. As NASA continues to rely on commercial partners for crewed space missions, Boeing’s Starliner will be a key player in the future of human spaceflight.
