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Boeing’s Starliner Capsule Prepares for Astronaut Mission Launch
The Starliner capsule, developed by Boeing, embarked on an important journey today as it left the launch pad at Florida’s Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Accompanied by its rocket ride, a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V, the duo rolled off the pad en route to an assembly building at the site. The purpose of this move is to allow scientists to address an issue with a valve in the launcher’s upper stage that was behaving erratically.
Upcoming Mission Details
Following the necessary adjustments, the Starliner and Atlas V are expected to return to the launch pad and prepare for their next mission. Scheduled to take place no earlier than May 17, the upcoming launch marks a significant milestone for the spacecraft as it embarks on its first-ever astronaut mission. Known as the Crew Flight Test (CFT), this trial run will see Starliner journey to the International Space Station (ISS) to demonstrate its capabilities.
The initial launch date for CFT was set for May 6, but experienced a delay when the mission team detected an issue with an oxygen relief valve in the Atlas V’s Centaur upper stage just hours before liftoff. Described as a “buzzing” sound caused by the valve rapidly opening and closing, this anomaly prompted the team to postpone the launch until May 10. Subsequently, it was determined that the valve needed to be replaced, leading to the current target launch date of May 17 at 6:16 p.m. EDT (10:16 p.m. GMT).
NASA’s Involvement and Mission Objectives
Once launched, the Crew Flight Test will send NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to the ISS for an approximately eight-day mission. This endeavor aims to certify Starliner for extended duration flights to the orbiting lab, representing a crucial step in Boeing’s commitment to NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. Under a $4.2 billion contract awarded in 2014, Boeing is working to expand human spaceflight capabilities and support the ongoing operations at the ISS.
SpaceX, another key player in the commercial crew transportation landscape, is concurrently fulfilling its obligations under a $2.6 billion contract with NASA. The company, led by Elon Musk, has successfully completed multiple crewed missions to the ISS utilizing its Dragon capsule and Falcon 9 rocket. Currently conducting its eighth operational flight to the space station, SpaceX’s track record exemplifies the growing partnership between private industry and government agencies in advancing space exploration.
Stay tuned for the latest updates on this mission and other space-related news as we continue to cover the exciting developments in human spaceflight and exploration.
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