Boeing Starliner Soars: A Milestone Launch Adventure!
NASA astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams became the inaugural individuals to embark on an orbital mission aboard a Boeing [NYSE: BA] Starliner, launching from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 10:52am ET and commencing a 25-hour journey to the International Space Station (ISS). This launch signifies the outset of the NASA-Boeing Starliner Crew Flight Test (CFT).
“This crew flight test signifies the dawn of an innovative chapter in space exploration as we observe astronauts Wilmore and Williams rigorously evaluate Boeing’s Starliner en route to the International Space Station,” stated Ted Colbert, President and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security. “This is an excellent beginning. We eagerly anticipate bringing the astronauts safely to the space station and back to Earth.”
Wilmore and Williams are also the pioneers to ascend aboard an Atlas V rocket and are presently experiencing microgravity as they approach the space station. They will execute a series of flight test objectives, including manual operation of the Starliner.
Accompanying the two astronauts, Starliner is transporting approximately 760 pounds (345 kilograms) of cargo. Once docked at the ISS, Wilmore and Williams will devote nearly a week at the station before making their return to Earth. Following a successful CFT, Boeing and NASA will continue their collaboration to validate Starliner for extended operational missions to the ISS.
