The first crewed launch of the Starliner spacecraft is now scheduled for Saturday, June 1, after experiencing a series of setbacks. The decision to target June comes after a valve issue on the Centaur upper stage of United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) Atlas V rocket prompted several launch postponements. Additionally, a helium leak was found on the Starliner, prompting further delays.
What’s Happening & Why This Matters
NASA aims to launch astronauts Bob Wilmore and Suni Williams on the Starliner at 12:25 p.m. this coming Saturday, following extensive analysis and testing to troubleshoot the issues in the spacecraft. While waiting, the astronauts are continuing to practice aboard Starliner simulators in Houston and will fly back to Kennedy in a few days.
The Starliner has previously encountered software problems and failed to reach the correct orbit to reach the International Space Station (ISS). Following improvements, NASA plans to use the Starliner as a second option for crewed flights to the ISS alongside SpaceX’s Crew Dragon.
As the first crewed launch of the Starliner approaches, the astronauts’ arrival at the spacecraft is an exciting step for this mission. NASA and Boeing Space will jointly oversee the crewed launch of the Starliner spacecraft from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
TF Summary: What’s Next
After dealing with a series of delays and issues, the mission is on track for a successful launch. The upcoming test flight is an important milestone for the Starliner spacecraft, which NASA hopes will become a reliable option for crewed missions to the International Space Station — and possibly further into space.