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NASA Ready to Launch First Astronaut Test Flight on Boeing Starliner
NASA officials announced today that the agency is prepared to proceed with the first astronaut test launch aboard the Boeing Starliner spacecraft. Commander Barry “Butch” Wilmore and pilot Suni Williams, both experienced astronauts, are scheduled to launch to the International Space Station on Starliner no earlier than May 1.
New Launch Date and Developments
The launch date is contingent on International Space Station traffic, and is set for no earlier than May 1. Steve Stich, program manager for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, mentioned that the ISS has been particularly busy this year, influencing the launch date.
Mark Nappi, Boeing vice president and Starliner program manager, noted that the spacecraft and the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket could arrive at the launch pad at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida as early as April 10.
Background and Challenges
Following several years of additional development, the first uncrewed Starliner spaceflight in late 2019 did not reach the ISS. Boeing, along with SpaceX, was tasked by NASA in 2014 to create new commercial crew vehicles, with significant funding allocated. SpaceX successfully conducted its first astronaut flight in 2020, while Boeing encountered challenges that required additional work.
After the second uncrewed test flight in May 2022, Boeing identified issues with the spacecraft’s parachute system and flammable tape, which needed to be addressed before proceeding with future missions.
Starliner’s Future Outlook
Boeing has resolved these setbacks and is now preparing for Starliner’s first crewed mission. NASA anticipates the spacecraft’s versatility once operational, providing a vital second transportation option to the ISS alongside SpaceX. With the spacecraft potentially set for operational flights as early as November 2024, the future operational mission “Starliner 1” may launch by spring 2025.
Boeing aims to conduct up to six Starliner astronaut flights for NASA under its commercial crew contract, with work already underway on the Starliner 1 spacecraft and preparations for the Starliner 2 mission’s capsule.
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