Excited for liftoff, Boeing Starliner’s first crew, Sunita Williams and Barry Butch Wilmore, spoke to reporters on Wednesday, May 1. Drawing from their US Navy test pilot background, they feel confident about evaluating the spacecraft during its inaugural crewed mission. The liftoff is scheduled for Monday, May 6, at 10:34 p.m. EDT (0234 GMT May 7), and NASA Television will broadcast the event live.
NASA’s Historic Starliner Crewed Launch
Veteran NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, both experienced in space travel, are gearing up for an exciting mission aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. This marks the first-ever crewed flight for Starliner, set to launch next week.
The launch is set for 10:34 pm EDT on Monday, May 6, from Florida’s Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Riding atop the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket, Williams and Wilmore will embark on a journey to the International Space Station (ISS).
Their mission involves testing the Starliner spacecraft and its systems, a crucial step before NASA approves it for regular missions to the ISS as part of the Commercial Crew Program. With their background as test pilots in the US Navy, both astronauts bring valuable expertise to evaluate the spacecraft during this inaugural crewed launch.
Having extensive experience in space shuttle and Soyuz spacecraft missions, Wilmore, 61, and Williams, 58, have accumulated over 11,000 flight hours, mainly in high-performance aircraft. They have also trained and supported fellow astronauts for years and completed extended stays on the ISS in the past.
Starliner is expected to dock at the ISS’s Harmony module on Wednesday, May 8, at 12:48 am, marking another milestone in space exploration.
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Mission Pilot Sunita Willams Excitement
During a live broadcast from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, William, the mission pilot, shared her excitement with the media. She expressed her confidence in the spacecraft’s safety and comfort, emphasizing that being part of this mission feels like fulfilling destiny.
William’s enthusiasm stems from a decade-long wait to join a commercial crew flight. Her journey began in 2015 when she joined NASA’s program for spacecraft development. Finally, in 2022, she was assigned to the Crew Flight Test (CFT) mission.
Commander Barry Wilmore’s Role in Starliner
Wilmore was initially picked as a backup for the mission and has been waiting in line since at least 2019. In October 2020, he was moved to the main crew, as reported by Space.com.
When asked about using his piloting experience to help develop Starliner, Commander Barry “Butch” Wilmore explained that his background in test acquisition was crucial for certifying different parts and ensuring everything works together smoothly. He expressed his excitement for the launch, saying, “Neither of us imagined we’d be part of the first flight of a completely new spacecraft.”
About NASA Starliner Mission
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson highlighted a significant achievement for NASA and the Commercial Crew Program, emphasizing their efforts to enhance America’s capability for human spaceflight.
He expressed enthusiasm for Starliner’s upcoming crewed flight test, anticipating a successful mission. The Starliner spacecraft, equipped with a crew capsule capable of completing multiple flights, accommodates up to seven astronauts. Boeing’s spaceflight capabilities have seen notable progress with the launch of this vehicle on the Atlas V rocket.
The successful completion of this mission will bring Starliner closer to its goal of regularly transporting personnel to and from the ISS, bolstering the United States’ independence in space travel. This development will also benefit SpaceX.
After arriving at the Florida spaceport on April 25, astronauts Wilmore and Williams underwent quarantine in the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building. They will spend about seven days at the orbiting laboratory before returning. The crew capsule will land in the southwestern United States, utilizing an airbag and parachute for a safe landing.
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NASA’s Historic Starliner Crewed Launch FAQs
Q.1. When is the Starliner’s launch scheduled?
Ans. The launch is set for Monday, May 6, at 10:34 p.m. EDT.
Q.2. Who are the astronauts aboard the Starliner?
Ans. Veteran NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are leading the mission.
Q.3. What is the purpose of the Starliner mission?
Ans. The mission aims to test the spacecraft and its systems for regular missions to the ISS.
Q.4. What are the astronauts’ backgrounds?
Ans. Both Williams and Wilmore have extensive experience in space travel and as test pilots in the US Navy.
Q.5. Where will the Starliner dock after reaching the ISS?
Ans. The Starliner is expected to dock at the ISS’s Harmony module on Wednesday, May 8, at 12:48 a.m.
