After years of development and setbacks, Boeing is finally ready to launch its Starliner spacecraft with astronauts on board for the first time. Tonight’s planned liftoff from Cape Canaveral marks a pivotal milestone for the commercial crew program.
- Two veteran NASA astronauts will ride Starliner to the International Space Station
- The mission is a crucial test flight to certify the new capsule for operational crews
- If successful, Boeing will join SpaceX in providing crewed transportation to orbit
Have you wondered when Boeing’s new Starliner spacecraft will finally launch with people on board?
Starliner’s Journey to Space
The Starliner capsule will launch from Cape Canaveral in Florida at 10 pm Eastern (3 am U.K. time). Veteran NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams will be the first to ride aboard the new vehicle.
Boeing encountered several setbacks in preparing the Starliners for human-crewed missions. During an uncrewed test flight in 2019, the spacecraft could not reach the space station due to software issues. In 2022, on a second attempt, the spacecraft successfully reached the orbiting laboratory, but it revealed problems with the craft’s thrusters and cooling system.
What to Expect Tonight
If tonight’s launch goes according to plan, the Starliner capsule will reach the International Space Station about 24 hours later. Over their 10-day stay, the astronauts will test out the spacecraft’s critical systems, such as the life support equipment and navigation controls.
They will also get to experience Starliner’s landing system, which is designed for ground touchdowns in the American Southwest desertโquite different from SpaceX’s ocean splashdowns.
New Era for Space Travel
Starliner’s crewed debut represents a significant milestone. If certified for regular crewed flights after this mission, Boeing will become the second private company approved to taxi astronauts to and from the space station, alongside SpaceX and its Crew Dragon capsule.
According to astronomer Dr. Jennifer Millard, having two U.S. providers for space station transportation offers “redundancy” and could help lower costs through competition. It also frees NASA to focus on deep space exploration projects like returning humans to the Moon.
So keep an eye on the Florida skies tonight! A successful liftoff would start an exciting new era in commercial human spaceflight.
Looking Ahead
What new frontiers might open up as private space companies like Boeing and SpaceX continue to advance their capabilities? Please leave a comment with your thoughts!
