Starliner Soars! Historic First Crewed Mission Lifts Off for Space Station

Image Credit, NASA

Cape Canaveral, FL – After a brief delay, excitement filled the air as NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test launched Wednesday morning, marking a monumental moment in American space exploration. Veteran astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams blasted off aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, embarking on the first crewed test flight to the International Space Station (ISS).

This mission signifies a new era for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, a public-private partnership designed to return American launches and astronaut missions to US soil. Liftoff occurred at 10:52 AM EDT from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, atop a powerful United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket.

“This is a historic first,” declared NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “The Starliner represents a bold new chapter for American ingenuity and exploration. This mission is a testament to the tireless efforts of NASA, Boeing, and our incredible commercial partners.”

This test flight serves a critical purpose. It will thoroughly evaluate every aspect of the Starliner system, from launch and in-orbit operations to the spacecraft’s return to Earth with astronauts onboard. The success of this mission paves the way for Starliner’s certification for regular crew rotation missions to the ISS.

“We’re incredibly proud to see Starliner finally take flight with a crew,” said Boeing’s Commercial Crew Program Vice President and Program Manager Mark Nappi. “Our top priority is ensuring a safe and comfortable journey for Butch and Suni, and we’re laser-focused on mission success.”

Throughout the flight, Boeing will meticulously monitor Starliner’s automated maneuvers from their mission control center in Houston. NASA teams will concurrently oversee space station operations from their Johnson Space Center mission control.

“This mission represents over a decade of dedication by the Commercial Crew Program and our partners,” said Steve Stich, manager of the program at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. “For many, this is a career-defining moment. We’ll take a measured approach, rigorously testing Starliner, and remain vigilant until Butch and Suni return safely.”

Starliner is scheduled to dock autonomously with the forward-facing port of the ISS’s Harmony module on Thursday, June 6th, around 12:15 PM EDT. The spacecraft will remain docked for roughly a week.

Wilmore and Williams will play a vital role in the mission, actively testing the spacecraft’s systems, including its environmental controls, displays, and maneuvering thrusters. Upon their arrival at the space station, they’ll join the Expedition 71 crew, bolstering international collaboration on the orbiting outpost.