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Boeing’s Starliner Mission Sets Sail
A novel spacecraft is on the brink of launching its inaugural crew in May, and a fresh cohort of NASA astronauts is eager to be part of the mission. The most recent astronaut class completed basic training on March 5, perfectly timed for the impending Boeing Starliner test flight with crew, slated for May. Esteemed astronauts Suni Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore are set to pilot Starliner on the upcoming International Space Station (ISS) mission, labeled as Crew Flight Test.
Starliner, once fully operational, will ferry astronauts to and from the ISS in tandem with SpaceX’s Crew Dragon vehicle, which commenced crewed missions back in 2020. The newest crop of astronauts is thrilled at the prospect of stepping aboard the Boeing spacecraft. Deniz Burnham, an astronaut and former oil rig engineer, shared the excitement following her graduation, expressing, “It’s a new capability. Everyone is just thrilled. We’re very excited for Suni and Butch, and it’s going to be great.”
Challenges Along the Journey
Boeing and SpaceX were both greenlit by NASA in 2014 to develop commercial crew vehicles for ISS missions, with substantial funding in tow. However, the path to the launch pad has been considerably more arduous for Starliner compared to Crew Dragon. Starliner faced setbacks following an anomaly on its maiden uncrewed flight in December 2019. The vessel failed to dock with the ISS as intended, necessitating extensive rectifications after identifying numerous issues post-flight.
The subsequent delays were exacerbated by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020. Nevertheless, Starliner eventually achieved a successful rendezvous with the ISS on its second uncrewed endeavor in May 2022.
Starliner’s first astronaut test flight encountered its own set of hurdles during development, primarily stemming from issues such as defective suspension lines on the parachutes and wiring entwined in flammable tape. These challenges postponed the scheduled liftoff from July 2023 to spring 2024. Despite necessitating crew replacements along the way, future Starliner missions are now solidifying their launch timetables.
Looking Ahead
The latest class of astronauts remains optimistic about the imminent prospects of flying various spacecraft to space, with Starliner at the forefront. Luke Delaney, a former U.S. Marine test pilot turned astronaut, emphasized the importance of learning from developmental setbacks and embracing change for enhanced crew safety.
Christopher Williams, a medical physicist-turned-astronaut, noted how Starliner broadens the spectrum of spacecraft options available to astronauts. Apart from Starliner, upcoming crewed vehicles such as the Orion spacecraft and SpaceX’s Starship lander are poised to support Artemis missions to the moon.
Reflecting on the safety implications, track cyclist and bioengineering professor Christina Birch highlighted the necessity of prioritizing safety over schedules to ensure that spacecraft are fully prepared to transport individuals to low Earth orbit and beyond.
Flight surgeon and astronaut Anil Menon hailed the forthcoming Starliner launch as a testament to the success of NASA’s commercial crew program, validating the agency’s investments in development over the past decade. Simultaneously, Navy aviator and astronaut Jack Hathaway celebrated both the commercial triumph and personal connection, underscoring the significance of expanding access to low Earth orbit through multiple vehicles and commercial partnerships.
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