Two Veteran Astronauts Prepare for Historic Starliner Launch
Veteran astronauts Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Sunita Williams arrived at the Kennedy Space Center, marking a significant step towards the first piloted launch of Boeing's Starliner spacecraft. This highly anticipated flight comes after years of delays due to technical challenges and extensive testing.
Wilmore and Williams, both seasoned astronauts with extensive experience in space, expressed their excitement about the upcoming mission. "We love Florida. We love the Kennedy Space Center, because this is where you launch humans into space," Wilmore said. "In less than two weeks, the next flight we take we'll be laying on our backs and (launching) into the heavens."
The Starliner's Crew Flight Test (CFT) is a crucial step in expanding NASA's capabilities for accessing the International Space Station. "Completing the Starliner's Crew Flight Test, or CFT, will 'broaden (NASA's) capability to and from space station, and that's vitally important," Wilmore said.
Following a successful flight readiness review, the Starliner is tentatively scheduled for launch atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket on May 6th. If all goes according to plan, Wilmore and Williams will dock at the space station on May 8th and return to Earth on May 15th.
This mission marks a significant milestone for NASA's Commercial Crew Program, which aims to ensure reliable and independent access to the International Space Station. The program awarded contracts to both SpaceX and Boeing to develop spacecraft capable of transporting astronauts.
While SpaceX has already successfully launched numerous crewed missions, Boeing's Starliner program faced setbacks due to technical issues. The first unpiloted test flight in 2019 encountered software and communication problems, while the second test flight in 2022 revealed parachute issues and concerns about protective tape.
Despite these challenges, Boeing and NASA have worked diligently to address the issues and ensure the safety of the crew. The upcoming CFT is seen as a critical test for both Boeing and NASA, demonstrating the reliability of the Starliner spacecraft and the success of the Commercial Crew Program.
"The success of this mission has always been very important for us as a program for a lot of reasons," said Mark Nappi, Boeing's Starliner program manager. "Number one, we have humans flying on this vehicle. We take that so seriously in human spaceflight. I've spent my career in this business, and it always has been the top of the list."
With the launch date approaching, Wilmore and Williams remain focused on the mission ahead. "This is where the rubber meets the road, where we are going to leave this planet, and that is pretty darn cool!" Williams said.